Education

The Aerial Applicator Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators is now available. The program is provided by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

The course will fulfill 2021 recertification requirements for commercial pesticide applicators certified in category 11. Some of the topics covered will include information on application equipment and calibration, safe application techniques, and pest management.

To obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Allamakee County at 563-568-6345. The local deadline to have this course complete is December 1, 2021. There is a registration fee.

Representatives from member school districts of the Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI) convened their Annual Meeting Wednesday, October 26 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. RSAI advocates on behalf of the students, parents and communities in rural Iowa, to ensure that all students have access to a great Iowa education, regardless of where they live. RSAI members include over 140 Iowa school districts but several are among the largest geographic school districts in the state.

School Funding, known as State Supplemental Assistance, or SSA, was a clear priority for RSAI members. Superintendent Dr. Dan Peterson, Central DeWitt Community School District, said this funding is not just a priority but supports the very survival of rural schools.

“We have 47 fewer school districts than we did just 20 years ago,” he stated.

State of Iowa Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald and College Savings Iowa are spreading the joy this holiday season with contributions to education savings. Residents in Allamakee County can register at Iowa529Contest.com through Friday, December 31 to win a $529 contribution to their College Savings Iowa 529 account.

“Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a boost to your education fund,” said Fitzgerald. “And during the season of giving, consider making a contribution to an existing account or opening your first one. Invest in a child’s future by giving them a meaningful gift.”

A program offering $2,000 scholarships is now open to Iowa high school seniors. Students not only have a chance at much-needed funds for college but can also learn ways to reduce college loan debt through the program.

Iowa high school seniors may register for the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Know-How between now and March 11. Once registered, students will receive instructions via email on completing two online modules and a related assessment. Scholarships will be awarded to the students who score highest on the assessment or are determined through a tie-breaker. The two modules, Student Loan Game Plan and the Return on College Investment tool, are designed to help students and families determine maximum recommended levels of student loan debt and find ways to minimize the debt they need to repay.

Saturday, October 2, students in seventh through 12th grades from the Waukon Middle School and High School attended the RitterSing Honor Choir (formerly known as Real Men Sing) at Wartburg College in Waverly. RitterSing is designed to bring together tenor and bass singers from across the region to jump-start and motivate the bass clef singers in high school choral programs early in the year. The festival offers two choirs: a 7th-9th/10th Grade Middle School Chorus and a 9th Grade-Adult Chorus. Choir directors can choose whichever choir works best for their students.

Students attending are pictured in the photo above and include: Left to right - Front row: Trevor Block, Trent Schullo, Drake Hankes and Issac Johanningmeier; Back row: Gabe Goettel, Reagan Lubahn, Caleb Perkins, Jaedyn McGuire and John Marti. They are under the direction of Sarah J. Bieber (Grades 6-12 Vocal Music Instructor) and chaperone Caitlyn Owen (Grades PK-5 Elementary Music Teacher).

During the 1961-1962 school year, the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors approved the purchase of a piano for the school district when Peter Bieber, father of James Bieber and grandfather of current Waukon 6-12 grades vocal music teacher Sarah Bieber, was president of the school board. When not in use, it was kept in a padlocked box in the old high school gymnasium, and officials for basketball games were even known to have sat on top of it. When the old Waukon High School burned down in 1965, this piano was brought to the new high school (the current FFA room at Waukon High School). It was used heavily, not taken care of, and eventually sold at an auction.

Four students in the Allamakee Community School District have been selected to participate in the most prestigious Honor Choir in the state of Iowa for students. East Elementary School fifth grade Alto 1 singer Alice Jones (pictured in individual photo above), under the direction of Pk-5th Grade Elementary Music Teacher Caitlyn Owen, along with (left to right in photo below) Waukon Middle School eighth grade Alto 2 singer Tobias Treptau, seventh grade Alto 1 singer Eireann Goettel and freshman Soprano Annelise Ellingson were recently selected for participation in the 35th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival. The seventh through ninth grade students are under the direction of Sarah Bieber, Grades 6-12 Vocal Music Director. This is the first time in seven years that a fifth grade student has been selected for Opus.

Students in second through sixth grades at St. Patrick School in Waukon have the opportunity to learn all about Computer Science and how Computer Science is used in various industries and fields of study to help solve problems, advance research, create art and more. The second through sixth grade students are being introduced to Computer Science through lessons that are hands-on and digital throughout the year using the Code.org curriculum (pictured above at far right).

Students in Junior Kindergarten through first grade at St. Patrick School will have STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) incorporated into their Technology class. STEAM activities focus on incorporating applied arts and creative thinking to situations, such as those activities pictured in the surrounding photos. Submitted photos.
 

Iowa State University (ISU) and Outreach Allamakee County office will host an Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, November 10. The program provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) can be seen at office locations across Iowa.

The local attendance site is the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Allamakee County. Preregistration may be required and walk-ins are not guaranteed admission. Walk-ins on the day of the program will only be admitted if room allows.  The course runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The registration fee is discounted before November 3. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, call 563-568-6345.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a “Pie Crust & Fruit Pie” class Tuesday, November 2 from 6-8 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

Why are so many intimidated by making pie crust from scratch? After all, it’s just simple ingredients baked in the oven until golden and flaky, right? Join the class to learn the steps to mix, roll and bake the perfect, flaky crust every time. Participants will also taste-test crusts made with butter, lard and shortening so they can judge for themselves which they prefer.

Once participants make their pie crust, they will choose a fruit filling to take home and bake in it. Tentative menu includes three homemade pie crusts, fruit of choice, to make a 12-inch fall fruit pie to take home and bake.