[News] Waukee School Update - August 2007

Wed Aug 1 19:13:30 EDT 2007

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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August 1, 2007

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First Day of School:  August 22

Congratulations to Ivory Becker who placed 4th out of 52 national entries in
the VFW Patriotic Art Contest.  What an accomplishment and recognition of
the level of talent we have in Waukee!

Thanks to everyone who responded to my special update inviting you to
participate with the ChildVoice International RAGBRAI team assembled by Jane
Patton.  Jane hasn't provided a final team tally, but knows her team
exceeded their goal.  I also heard from two of you who are taking that cause
to your church groups to see if you can keep help meet the need for the
future.  It's great to be part of such a caring community!

At our July 10 board meeting we received an update from Roxanne Cuming,
Director of Student Services and Amy Jo Naughton, a former Waukee teacher
who is doing an administrative practicum.  Roxanne talked about how we are
meeting the educational needs of students with special disabilities, and the
details of how federal and state regulations monitor the districts efforts
to ensure we are doing our best to meet the needs of each student.  Although
many of our special education students still lag behind students without
these special needs, Waukee's students continue to score well above the Iowa
averages in both reading and math.  We can be very proud of the program we
offer.

Have you noticed that construction continues on many of our buildings?  Both
the new Maple Grove Elementary and the High School additions should be ready
for the first day of school, while additions to the Middle School will
continue throughout the next school year.

In addition, work will begin on the baseball and softball diamonds as soon
as the summer schedule concludes in order to bring those facilities up to
CIML standards.  All of this is continued progress to the districts rolling
10 year facilities plan to keep ahead of the continuous growth.  You will
receive much more information on the plans over the next few months as we
prepare for the proposed  bond referendum next Spring.  If you haven't seen
the plans before, I think you will be impressed with the level of detail and
planning that helps us build "just in time" and maximize the limited funds
that are available for buildings.

Have you taken your children to see High School Musical at the Des Moines
Playhouse?  Performances continue through August 5.

If you go, stop in the lower lobby following the performance to meet the
cast and say hi to Kim Cooper, Senior at Waukee who says she has had a blast
with the cast.

Interested in running for the school board?  Nomination papers for the
September 11 election are due Aug. 2.

We would love to have more candidates who care about public education and
are willing to devote the time needed to develop policies for our district.
Contact the district office to obtain the needed paperwork.

Congratulations to fellow board member Russ Wiesley who was recently elected
President-elect of the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB).  Russ has
been a tireless advocate for pubic education in Iowa and will serve us well
as President of the State Board!

Congratulations to incoming Junior Bekah Noack who captured first place in
the national Talents for Christ competition this month.  

Bekah won a $5000 scholarship as the winner in this special Baptist Church
event.

A reminder that the Waukee Family YMCA still has some openings in their
before and after school care, and registration for their fall kid's sports
leagues end Aug. 12.  Contact the Y for more information.

Congratulations to Kyle Biscoglia, Max Tracy, Dan Blocker and Joel Shapiro
from the Waukee Youth Wrestling Club who were all winners at the Iowa Games.
With the success these young wrestlers are having, the Warriors will become
a force to recon with for years to come.   For information on upcoming club
camps and events visit www.waukeewrestling.org
<http://www.waukeewrestling.org/> .  

Thanks to Becky Irmiter for sharing this update on the Dallas County Fair:

The Boone Progressors 4-H club is the local Waukee club whose members are
primarily Waukee School students.  Some of them did very well at the Dallas
County Fair and were chosen to represent the county at the Iowa State Fair.
Kendra Bland was chosen to participate in the State Fair with a photograph,
clothing selection item and a presentation. Alec Packer will be doing a
presentation.  He also won an award for refurbishing a hand crank corn
sheller....from the early 1900's.  Michaela Craigmile had a photo chosen as
well as a working demonstration she does with Meredith Irmiter and another
member from another school district.  Other student members who received
blue ribbons at the Dallas County Fair were Rita Melcher, Lindsey Greifzu,
Nathan Irmiter and Emma Gerdis.  Congratulations to them all for their
awards!  The leaders of the club are Diane Bruecken, Sandy Bland, and Becky
Irmiter.

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

 <mailto:WayneC941 at mchsi.com> WayneC941 at mchsi.com 

Check out the District Web site at www.waukee.k12.ia.us
<http://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/>  for calendars, school lists, power school
(your children's grades), contact info, newsletters and much more.

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