[News] October Waukee School Update

[Wayne Cooper]

For those receiving this for the first time, welcome to my monthly update of
happenings in the Waukee School District.  Please feel free to share with
others who may be interested or let me know if you would like to be taken
off the mailing list.  Others can get on the list by sending me an e-mail.  

                

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October 1, 2006

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www.waukee.k12.ia.us <http://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/> 

 

 

Welcome to Pat DeMouth who was sworn in as a board member at this weeks
board meeting along with returning members, Russ Wiesley and Tracy Lepeltak.
Tracy was elected our President for this year, and Larry Lyon was elected
Vice-President.  Peggy Pierce will replace me as representative on the
Foundation Board.  Thanks again to Doug Haag for making the effort to run
this year and special thanks to Embree Edgington who retired after 15 years
of service to our district.

 

At our Sept 26 meeting, the board received a report on our recent site visit
by the Department of Education.  The report sited a long list of positives
including our 100% graduation rate, zero drop out rate, 96.3% K-8
attendance, and 74% of graduates scoring 20 or higher on the ACT. They also
sited our 4th, 8th and 11th scores in reading, math and science on the ITBS
and ITED, all well above the state and national proficiency goals.  The
primary area sited for improvement is our gifted and talented program.  We
have been working on this area for the last three years, so are well on our
way to meeting their improvement suggestions.  You can find the full report
on our Web site.  In the future we expect to see our drop out rate grow
because the National No Child Left Behind legislation will now count
students who get a GED or high school degree other than that offered at
Waukee as drop outs.  The board and administration will continue to review
suggestions for other ways to proactively  improve the education we provide.

 

 

Studies are showing that it will become vital for children to attend
pre-school if they are going to be prepared for the more rigorous academic
program that awaits them as they enter K-12.  Last month I mentioned the
program offered by the YMCA.  Sherri TeKippe, Director of the Happy Time
Preschool forwarded this note that I'm glad to share.

 

Happy Time Preschool in Waukee has immediate openings for the '06-'07 school
year.  We offer morning programs for children ages three to five years old.
Please call Sherri TeKippe for more information at 987-8648 or
<mailto:sgtekippe at aol.com> sgtekippe at aol.com .

 

 

Attention Iowa fans, Katie Suckow will be honored on the field before the
Iowa vs. Northwestern football game on November 4, 2006.  Katie won the Iowa
PGA Section's Drive, Chip & Putt Contest for 16-17 year old girls.  Katie
also won the local and regional contests to advance to the finals that were
held in Cedar Rapids.  What an honor for an amazing golfer!

 

Thanks to coach Dan Briggs for sharing  the results from the JV/Varsity Swim
Meet against East from Tuesday, September 5:

Krista Tippin: 1st in the Varsity 200 Medley and 400 Free Relays, 100 Fly
and the 50 Free.

Kim Linde: 4th on the Varsity 200 Medley and 400 Free Relays and 1st in the
JV 100 Fly.

Lauren Chesmore: 2nd in the JV 200 and 400 Free Relays, 3rd in the JV 100
Breaststroke and 4th in the JV Medley Relay.

Lizzy Gerdis: 1st in the Varsity 200 IM, 2nd on the Varsity 200 Medley and
200 Free Relays.

Alex Gustafson: 1st on the Varsity 200 Free Relay and 2nd in the Varsity
Medley Relay and 100 Breaststroke.

The final score was Johnston (Urbandale & Waukee) 132 points to East's 39.

 

If you would like to nominate a teacher for the GOLDEN APPLE AWARD,
nominations may be submitted through.. www.WHOtv.com <http://www.whotv.com/>
.

Waukee has had several winners in past years, but we have buildings full of
deserving teachers!

 

You may have started to see publicity regarding a major initiative to
increase recruitment for Iowa colleges.  Partly in response to the
Governor's 2010 Commission report and the Iowan's for a Better Future (IBF)
group that is working to accomplish those recommendations, several major
initiatives are in the works.  I just received a copy of research done the
ISU Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.  The report
documents the decline that is occurring in number of students from Iowa into
the future, and the importance of expanding efforts to recruit out-of-state,
minority, foreign  and non-traditional students.  These initiatives must be
successful if Iowa is going to have an adequate workforce to support our
business community.  The report outlines 7 major recommendations and a
series of strategies to accomplish each.  Keep your eyes open for more
articles on this issue. 

 

Part 2:  On Sept 26, a major Iowa Higher Education Summit took place at the
State Historical Building to move this effort forward.  A work force from
all sectors of Iowa's colleges have been meeting for over a year with IBF
staff to find common ground and organize this major event to kick off the
combined effort.  All of our college Presidents, student body leaders and
education experts united to move forward the recommendations that are
crucial to the future of our state.  You may have read an editorial in the
Register by Richard Doak emphasizing the importance of this effort.

 

Did you know that Eason 2nd Grade student Grady Rogers registered for the
Dollars for Smiles contest at Hy-Vee and won a $5000 check for Eason along
with a $1000 gift card for himself!  Thanks to Grady and Hy-Vee for the
great gift!

 

I've received a couple of notes asking if elementary boundaries have been
established one Maple Grove Elementary opens in 2007.

The citizen group that was formed to study the issue has been meeting again
this fall and is scheduled to provide their recommendation to the school
board at our Nov 14 meeting.  You should see plenty of information at that
time.   The board will hold it's annual retreat later in October with the
10-year plan again being updated.  We are at a critical point where the
local option funding can't meet the building needs we are facing, so we may
be asking for your support for a bond referendum again soon.

 

Last year I mentioned that I am serving on the FINE (First in the Nation in
Education) recognition committee, representing the Iowa Association of
School Boards.  This year's event will be held on April 17 at the Capitol.
Each year schools are selected who have demonstrated positive educational
impacts by implemented research based programs in their districts.
Selection is based on the data that shows a three year trend of
accomplishments and that the program was research based prior to
implementation.  Schools receive a cash grant, recognition of the program
and a visit from the Governor to honor the great work being done.  Hopefully
Waukee will have the time and resources to submit a nomination this year.

 

Another initiative of the FINE Foundation will be held on Oct. 22-24 at
DMACC.  Over 60 educational professionals from across Iowa will meet for an
intensive workshop around the theme:  "Smoothing the Transition from High
School to Successful Postsecondary Educational Experiences: An Invitational
Working Conference."  Especially in our community,  we understand that in
most cases, students must move on for a college degree if they wish to
obtain a middle class income.  Far too many students just don't make the cut
from their freshman year in college to finish their dreams.  The outcome of
this workshop will be a series of recommendations and strategies that can be
implemented state-wide to increase the success rate for all students.  I
look forward to seeing that document. 

 

I had the chance to visit the Eason and Walnut Hills PTO and home room
parent meetings this month.  I'm continuously amazed at the hundreds and
hundreds of parents who share their time at each of our buildings in order
to help in so many ways.  Please accept my thanks for all of your efforts in
every way that you continue to serve.  Our PTO's have to be among the best
in the country!

 

The Miss Capitol City / Miss Jordan Creek competition was held at the
auditorium on September 9th.  Elizabeth Roling from WHS, the outgoing Miss
Capitol City Outstanding Teen 2006 presided over the event with grace and a
flawless performance as a stage full of hopeful young ladies competed in 4
categories based on age.  Let a proud father share that Kim Cooper, Waukee's
only competitor was named Miss Jordan Creek Outstanding Teen, 2007.  It was
fun to see the balcony of our auditorium full of cheering friends who
undoubtedly helped influence the judges!  Kim will move on to state
competition in Davenport next June.  If you have a forum where Kim could
share her faith, platform or talent, please let her know.

 

Did you happen to see the positive article in the Register quoting some of
elementary students sharing their excitement over our new "Everyday
Mathematics" program?  The program focuses on helping children see the
relevance of math concepts and skills by applying them in various problem
solving activities. Waukee implemented the program this year in an effort to
move us from excellent math scores to outstanding scores.  I'm eager to hear
feedback after our first year with the program.

 

Last month I invited those new to the community to visit our church home at
Lutheran Church of Hope on Ashworth and Jordan Creek Drive, or help fill any
of the churches in our community.  Pastor Jeff Mullen wrote to extend the
invitation to Point of Grace in Waukee.  They were the host to Waukee's
after prom party and love making an impact in our community. The youth group
meets on Saturday evening at 5:30.  The church is located North of Hickman
on Dartmoor.  You can find out more about them at www.pointofgrace.com.  We
have an abundance of growing congregations in our communities and I hope
more churches let me know about their youth outreach so can I can share. 

 

I also heard second hand that my last newsletter became a teaching point at
the Waukee Methodist Church.  Pastor and Mrs. Shinkle are great supporters
of our community and schools, and I hear from them frequently, so I look
forward to receiving some information I can share from them and other
churches that do such fine work with the youth in our communities.  

 

You may remember that Shari Bender, a Waukee Junior is spending the year in
Germany as an exchange student through the Rotary Club.  She dropped me a
couple of notes this month to share her full plate of activities and travel
plans and to let me know that she even misses her dad, something she said
would never happen!  I think Shari is busier in Germany than any of our
active students are at WHS.  She was looking forward to her first Chemistry
oral and written test, all in German!  She has finished the fall term and
now has a little over two week vacation to go camping before starting the
next term.  You can drop Shari a note to fill her in on Waukee happenings
at:  scb152008 at yahoo.com

 

Our girls swim team continues to shine. They WON the Ames Invitational on
Saturday, 9-9 by 77 points over Ames & the other 6 teams that participated!
Alex Gustafson-2nd place in the 200 Free, 3rd in the 500 Free, 4th on the
Medley  Relay & 5th on the 400 Free Relay.   Lizzy Gerdis - 5th in the 200
IM, 7th in the 200 Free Relay 7 11th on the 200 Medley Relay.  Every swimmer
that competed for Johnston scored at least 1 point or more for the team! 

 

The Waukee Band Parents Organization would like to invite you to visit
"Warrior World" for all your Spirit Merchandise.  Featuring Sweatshirts,
Jackets, T-Shirts, Hats, Scarves, Boas, Blankets, Throws, License Plate
Holders, Window Clings, Megaphones, Poms and Pencils.  Warrior World is open
Friday's from 3 to 5pm in the SW corner of the High School Commons, at ALL
home Football games (look for the little house on wheels), home Basketball
games, your schools parent/teacher conferences and all band concerts.
Coming soon, look for new apparel on the web www.waukeebands.org
<http://www.waukeebands.org/> .  Thanks to Brenda Mackey for sharing this
information!

 

The Waukee Eagles 13 and under USSSA Division AAA baseball team completed a
very successful 2006 season with a 44 and 15 record, including 6 first or
second place tournament finishes.  The Eagles ended the year with a #1
ranking in Iowa and the four state Central Division and a 13th place
national ranking out of a field of over 1,600 teams. (www.usssa.com).
Victories this year included wins over teams from as far away as Austin, TX;
Salt Lake City, UT; Milwaukee, WI; and Chicago, IL.  The Eagles also won
their only game this year against the eventual USSSA Division AAA National
Champions by a 2 to 1 score.  Team members were: Jacob Johnson, Cody Keith,
Jonny Getting, Matt Roling, Nick Suckow, Jordan Wachter, Andrew Stanley.
Coach Mike Roling, Eli Egger, Brad Neese, Brady Campbell, Sam Bunz, Sean
Pihlblad, Collin Foster and Coach Rod Foster.  All the players are students
at Prairieview in Waukee.

Thanks to Heidi Foster for sharing this article along with a picture of the
team and their trophies.

 

 

Thanks to Tammy  from the Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe for asking that I share
the following note in this update.  I wish them the best as they move on to
new opportunities.

 

To all our many, many friends and supporters, Thank You for your enthusiasm
and encouragement in our journey of owning a small town business. We knew we
could count on close friends and family to give us a boost. However, we
really had no idea the 

pillar of support we would receive. The volume of inspiration we experienced
is like nothing we have encountered in our lives. There are a lot of big
hearted people in our small little town. Although we no longer are owners of
the ice cream shoppe, we will never forget everyone that stood behind us in
this life changing venture.  Whether you stopped in for a treat or spoke
kind words of assurance, the impact you made will never leave us. 

We are looking forward to experiencing the new beginnings that are store for
us. 

The Stifels 

Rick, Tammy, Creighton and Dalton

GO WARRIORS!

 

 

As the "new kid on the block",  no one gave Waukee varsity  much hope of
winning a football game this year, except for our team, coaches and
fantastic fans.  Congratulations to our players and coaches for some great
wins over Sioux City, Council Bluffs and Urbandale this month, before the
tough one point loss to Fort Dodge this week.  I'm positive we will see more
victories before the season ends!

 

Congratulations to Liz Roling and Drake Blessom, homecoming king and queen
and the entire court.  If you heard the resume's read at the football game,
it's amazing the talent and activities this group of students are involved
in!

 

Congratulations to all of our students named to the National Council on
Youth Leadership: Andrew Hopper, Chase Taggert, Adam Vaught, Michelle
Phillips, Lisa Kral, Rachel Witte, Paul Spooner, Ben Aunan, Joel Anderson,
Erin Good, Liz Riordan and Chelsea Korpanty.  Stop by Jordan Creek Mall and
take a look at the large display boards on the lower West hall.

 

PTO Coming Events:  (Shared by Jody Hufford)

 

Brookview

 

Fun Night October 14 
October Meeting 16th-guest WDM Fire Department 
Fundraiser kick off Oct 9, back in 20 Delivery November 17-8 
Bookfair November conferences 
November meeting 20th- guest Katy Mavis

 

Walnut Hills

 

Fall Carnival October 14th 4 - 7pm
October 16th PTO meeting 7pm

 

 

Dear Friends of the Arts,

 

October 5: The Waukee Area Arts Council presents Trio-X, acclaimed
avant-garde jazz trio, at Caspe Terrace in Waukee, Thursday, October 5, at
8:00. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and include a Meet the
Artists reception after the concert. Trio-X will also conduct jazz workshops
for Waukee jazz students at the Prairieview band room that afternoon as part
of WAAC's Face to Face with the Arts Series.  Contact waac at hickorytech.net
for tickets or information.

 

October 19-20: Waukee Middle School will present Annie, jr. on Thursday,
October 19th and Friday, October 20th at 7:00 pm in the Waukee High School
Auditorium. The performance involves over 40 seventh graders who have been
rehearsing daily for the big show. Annie, jr. is a condensed version of the
long-running Broadway hit, Annie, that was written by Thomas Meehan, Charles
Strouse and Martin Charnin.  Directors are WMS teachers Shelly Schaeufele
and Sarah Schaefer, who promise this will be a memorable performance by a
talented group of young actors, dancers and singers.

 

October 24: Caspe Terrace continues their series of live satellite
broadcasts from the 92nd St. Y in New York with Joy Behar from TV's The
View. The broadcasts are open to the public. Contact waac at hickorytech.net
for more information.

 

 

 

 

State Marching Band festival and the Waukee Marching Invitational are only 2
weeks away!  In order to so this right over 190 volunteers are used -
currently we STILL NEED 114!  Would you please consider helping.  This is a
wonderful day and no matter when you help you are able to get in at no cost
for the entire day.  A volunteer schedule can be viewed at
www.waukeebands.org 

Thank you for supporting Waukee Bands.

Kathleen

 

 

Have some news I can share?  Just send me a note and I'll be glad to share
it next month.

 

Wayne Cooper

Waukee School Board

WayneC941 at mchsi.com 

 

 

Our significant purpose:

*	Create a caring culture where students feel safe and nurtured. 
*	Provide students the skills to be literate and productive citizens
in a democratic society. 
*	Build a foundation for the pursuit of continuous life-ling learning.


 

Values we are committed to:

*	Integrity, Responsibility, Perseverance, Respect, Trust, Honesty,
Tolerance, Optimism, Loyalty 

 

We want to be:

*	A caring school community where adults model the district's values
and build a solid partnership with  teachers, students and parents. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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