Education

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular monthly meeting of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors was held Monday, July 20. After the agenda was adopted, the usual and customary authorizations were approved, including the July consent items, minutes of the regular June meeting, bills for June 30 and July, Secretary’s Financial Report for June, Student Activity and Food Service June Reports.

The board approved the bids for bread and milk. Only one bid was submitted for each category, including Prairie Farm for milk and Bimbo for bread. The bids were as follows:

½ pt. 1% white - .2820
½ pt. skim white - .2670
½ pt. skim chocolate - .2995
8-oz. orange juice - .1940
20 oz. loaf Whole Wheat Bread - 2.22
24 oz. loaf 53% Whole Grain White Bread - 2.24
Hamburger Buns Wheat 16-count - 3.18
Coney Buns Wheat 16-count - 3.18.

Monday, July 27 the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) released its Return to Learn plan to the public for the 2020-2021 school year. The full plan, along with some quick facts and other detailed information, can be found on the school district’s website at www.e-allamakee.k12.ia.us.

Beginning with the first day of school, August 24, and currently planned through at least the end of September, the EACSD will implement a hybrid plan for learning which will include on-site instruction in classrooms Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with required learning from home through Google Classroom being utilized each Wednesday. Facemasks are heavily encouraged in school, but not required - except on buses. The district encourages parents to provide their own transportation to and from school, if possible.

College junior Danielle Stock has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship from America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, sponsored by Bayer Fund. In the fall, Stock will continue her studies in Animal Science at Iowa State University in Ames.

“Bayer Fund is committed to improving educational opportunities in STEM fields for students in rural communities. The Grow Ag Leaders program provides an opportunity to help youth across the country with college expenses and encourage their pursuit of an ag education,” said Amy Simpson, Community Engagement Manager, Bayer Fund.

The future of agriculture relies on talented young people like Stock to fill thousands of jobs in a variety of fields, such as plant science, engineering, communications, finance, and more. Grow Ag Leaders raises awareness of diverse career opportunities in the agriculture industry and provides 352 scholarships nationwide to support student’s post high school ag education.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, July 20. Personnel matters approved under the consent agenda included After School Program staff, Brenda Good as a substitute bus driver, Rachel Adney and Amber Adney as co-volleyball coaches, 2020-2021 Mentors, fall sports volunteers and the resignation of paraprofessional Mariah Fogt. Also approved under the consent agenda was renewal of the Backpack Program for 2020-2021, the Free and Reduced School Meals policy and the MidAmerica HRA Service Agreement update.

The Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services, has announced its policy for free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and the Afterschool Care Snack Program.

State and Local school officials have adopted the family size and income criteria for determining eligibility as printed in the chart accompanying this article.

Households may be eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits one of four ways listed below.

Students attending need to register through online link

The Summer Prom event that several local parents have been working on since mid-April is being planned to take place Saturday, July 25 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon for Waukon High School students who completed their junior or senior year this past school year, along with their guests. Committee members have been communicating with Allamakee County officials, who say that with the locations and events that have now been opened up and the easing of many restrictions in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event should be able to happen as well.

With doors opening at 6 p.m., the evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a catered meal being provided at no cost to the students by Rich Schulte of Schulte’s BBQ & Catering of Waukon. The menu will include roast pork with cheesy potatoes. The committee is looking for parent volunteers to help provide salads and desserts.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and eight additional colleges in the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement (C2A3) will receive $529,924.48 over the course of the next four years as part of a cooperative agreement issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS).

The nine Midwestern community colleges that comprise the Alliance boast strong agricultural programs and traditions. The consortium was developed under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the USDA-NRCS and USDA North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA-SARE). NICC is the only college in Iowa to be selected as an alliance partner.

The Lawrence D. Anderson VFW Post and Auxiliary #4117 recently presented district award winners for the 2019-2020 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen and Auxiliary elementary essay contest. Winners at the local level of the essay contest advanced to this district level competition.

Entries from third through fifth graders were received for the VFW Auxiliary Elementary School Essay Contest from students at St. Patrick Elementary and East Elementary schools in Waukon. Entries from St. Patrick sixth grade and Waukon Middle School were received for the Patriot’s Pen contest. Waukon High School entries were received for the Voice of Democracy contest.

Placing first for third grade in the elementary essay contest at the district level was Jack Papp, son of Beth and John Papp of Waukon. Placing first for fourth grade in the elementary essay contest was Sophia Finn, daughter of Stacie and Andy Hill of Waukon.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at Kee High School in Lansing Tuesday, June 16. Board member Kelli Mudderman was absent and Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier was present via telephone later in the meeting.

The board unanimously approved the purchase of 93 Lenovo 100e Chromebooks for the New Albin Elementary third through sixth grade students. Kee High School and Middle School Principal Mary Hogan reviewed the district’s safety procedure in cases of a tornado, fire and an intruder for either a lockdown or an evacuation.

Waukon Head Start classrooms are still taking applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Head Start, operated by Northeast Iowa Community Action, is a free full day preschool program that offers a safe and nurturing environment while providing fun, active learning.

Qualified teachers partner with families to provide the best possible 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. Transportation is available in some areas.

Nutritious meals and snacks are provided by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Parents are encouraged to bring proof of income and proof of their child’s birthdate.