[News] February Waukee School Update

Tue Jan 30 22:32:49 EST 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.  

============================================

February 1, 2007

============================================

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

January was an extremely busy month at each of our buildings.  Here is just
a sampling of what I'm aware of!

The Waukee Area Arts Council presented Students on Stage featuring the
Warrior String Quartet, on Thursday, January 4, 2007, at the Chit-n-Chat
Coffeehouse. The Warrior String Quartet was established in the fall of 2005
and is a group of 8th grade strings students who all study privately. The
quartet was organized to give the young musicians an opportunity to play
with students their own age and to share their musical talents with others
in the community. Members of the Warrior String Quartet include: Tanelle
Berard, Violin, Luke Davis, Violin, Allison Meyer, Viola, Matthew Marcus,
Cello, Abby Meyer, Drake University graduate student, is the director of the
group.  Contact any of these members if you know of an opportunity for them
to perform.  

After the performance I stopped over to watch our HS wresters take on Mason
City.  It was a tough match, but I was impressed with the sportsmanship of
our student athletes and coaches.  

Congratulations to our boys swim team for a great victory over Ankeny
Thursday night. and to our girls and boys basketball teams for great wins
over Marshalltown on Friday night. 

Prairieview students continued their service activities with a dance held on
January 26th to raise money for Character Counts.

The PTO helped promote Waukee Night at the  Drake Men's Basketball vs.
Bradley, Saturday, January 6, 2007. 

We've been advised that the city may finish the widening of University
avenue between Alice's Road and Centennial Park as early as this summer.
Gear up for another long summer of detours to get to our school complex from
the East.

Waukee Academic Boosters 

Waukee Academic Boosters will meet Thursday, February 1st, 6:30 p.m. at the
Prairieview Media Center.  Our speaker will be Susan Wouters, Extended
Learning Program Teacher for Waukee Elementary and Walnut Hills Elementary.
Mrs. Wouters will share information concerning G/T Identification and the
Extended Learning Program (ELP).

Waukee Academic Boosters provide support and information to parents of high
ability and academically gifted students in Kindergarten through 8th grades.
Meetings are on the first Thursday of every month at the Prairieview School
Media Center at 6:30.

Please send an E-mail to Jean Gross at WaukeeAcademicBoosters at MCHSI.com or
contact Jane Clowser at 987-5268 with questions. 

Terra Kelley Burt, our art teacher at Waukee Middle School, was featured in
the January 2007 issue of NEA Today, the nationally distributed publication
of the National Education Association.  The article had a prominent picture
of Terra and several Waukee Middle School students with their packing tape
sculptures on display in front of the Middle School office.  Thanks to Susan
Sandholm-Petersen and Dr. Wilkerson for passing along this info.

I asked Terra to share a few honest comments about our art program at
Waukee:

As for the art program at Waukee  I feel that we do a good job of holding
our students accountable for the quality of their artwork. The curriculum
shows a wide range of art history and the study of different medias as well
as different techniques. However, I do feel that we (including myself) could
be doing a better job at displaying the artwork made by our students. One
obstacle I face is...where? ...

I am also concerned with 6th grade not receiving art (change as of next
year). I am going to try and bridge the gap for the 6th graders within
creating an art club. This is very exciting and I hope that this will be up
and running by the middle of third quarter. We will be doing artwork for our
community and would love to know places that would like artwork to
have...even a mural on the triangle possibly.

I have exciting ideas for the future of the art program at the middle school
level. There are some great opportunities that Waukee has to offer. I would
just like to say, as a new teacher this year to Waukee, that this district
continues to impress me and that I can't wait to some day send my future
children to share in the experience of Waukee!

Thank You,

Terra Burt

I think we are so lucky to have teachers like Terra who find ways around the
restrictions we face in order to provide the best possible education for our
students!

The Waukee Family YMCA  honored two volunteers at the annual meeting this
year:  Nicole Ellis was name Youth Volunteer of the Year and Todd McDonald
was named Adult Volunteer of the Year.  Nicole attends Prairieview and Todd
owns ATW Training and Consulting.

Congratulations to both and thanks for your great efforts to make the YMCA a
great place to build strong kids, strong families and a strong community!

In other YMCA news, because of the need for additional space, the YMCA has
announced plans to move from the present building to a new site in Waukee.
The location will be announced as soon as purchase negotiations are
finalized.  The current building will be used until the new facility is
ready to occupy.  At that time the school district (which owns the building)
will determine the appropriate use for the building and how to best
incorporate it into needs of the district.

Partner With Youth month is here!  If you are new to the community, every
February the YMCA has a fundraiser to subsidize the needs of families who
can't afford the services and activities provided by the YMCA.  These funds
help provide before and after school care, summer camps and recreational
options for children and families who can't afford the full cost of these
services.  I can't think of a better way to help our community than to join
this effort.  If you would like to volunteer to help with this fundraiser,
or have the ability to contribute at any level, please contact Kim Stewart
at the Y.  Last year, the Waukee Family YMCA provided $186,000 in
scholarships to Waukee residents. The goal for this year's campaign is
$102,000. The funds raised will go directly back into the Waukee community
to provide financial assistance in 2007

Congratulations to our Prairieview Warrior Hockey Team for a great 5-3 win
against WDM Valley at the Metro Ice Facility on Jan 14!

Did you know that 5.3% of Dallas County households earn under $10,000 per
year and 4% earn over $150,000?  The median family income is $48,528
compared to $39,469 for the State of Iowa.

I heard a story from the Johnston show choir event, that a performer from
another school had an embarrassing incident on stage and that many in the
audience were laughing and making fun of the student. Our students came out
from the performance outraged that the audience would make fun of the
student and interrupt the performance.  Kudo's to our students and to our
instructors for helping our students demonstrate positive character
attributes!  I think our kids can be role models for many of us adults!

Did you know that Prairieview designated this as the "Year of Giving"?  In
their latest project, Prairieview students filled a van and truck with much
needed items for the homeless shelter in only two days.  We were told that
there isn't a day that goes by that some student doesn't stop in the office
to ask if there is still a way to contribute to the latest need.  

Principal Mr. Blake reported this week that Middle School Students raised
over $1000 to help a needy local family after one of our High School
students who works at the middle school suggested the need.

Did you know that parents of the 5th graders at Waukee Elementary were
invited to play "Everyday Math" games in the classroom prior to the December
22 Winter concert?  I understand it was a great opportunity to better
understand how our new math program works to teach math concepts in a new
way.  Thanks to our 5th grade teachers for extending the invitation and
making it a great learning opportunity for everyone!

At our January 9 board meeting several action items were approved.  An early
retirement program will be offered for the FYE 08 school year and the K-7
staffing plan was approved which includes 19.5 new positions to help with
the opening of the new elementary school.

We also had first reading of policies to define acceptable class room sizes,
approved legal details for the sale of bonds for our building plans and
several other details.  Visitors to our meeting found that there are a lot
of technical (unexciting) aspects to providing excellent education in a
growing district.

Our current enrollment is around 5075 students.  How many students did we
have 5 years ago for the 01-02 year?  See the end of the update for the
answer!

Congratulations Waukee Elementary!  They report that they are well on the
way to reach their reading minutes goal of one million minutes! As of
January 10, they have read 267,542 minutes so far!!   Way to go kids!  Keep
reading!

Congrats to the boys swimmers as they won their own Invitational on
Saturday. Bob Bany: 3rd in the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 IM, 3rd in the
100 Back Scott Herren: 1st in the 400 Free Relay and 2nd in the 200 and 500
Free Austin Foster: 10th in the 200 Free Relay. Great Job! 

Congratulations to the WHS Competition Cheerleading Squad who earned first
place this weekend at the Hawkeye Challenge in Marion, Iowa. Also, congrats
to the stunt group of Erin Good, Haley Grove, Alli Williams, and Madi
Williams, who earned 1st place in the stunt group competition. And, to the
stunt group of Morgan Phillips, Lisa Kral, Liz Roling, and Elora Smith, who
earned 2nd place in the stunt group competition. Way to go, ladies.  Many of
you saw this talented group at the Waukee Fort Dodge Basketball games last
Friday where both the boys and girls had great victories!

District Large Group Speech Results: The Waukee Speech Team competed at the
IHSSA District Large Group Speech Contest last Saturday at Ankeny.  We
qualified 14 events with Division I ratings.  You are invited to come see
these compete at the State Large Group Speech contest on February 3 at West
Des Moines Valley.  These kids were amazing at Ankeny!

IHSSA LARGE GROUP SPEECH DIVISION I RATINGS:

One Act Play "Animal Farm" - Pheobe Smith, Adam Vaught, Jessica Baumeister,
Kaitlin Miller, Amanda Johnson, Emily Johansen, Dessi Luna, Taryn Giese,
Bailey Johansen, Kelsi Johnson, Ciara Pearce

Readers' Theatre "The Scarlet Letter" - Paul Spooner, Chelsea Korpanty,
Phoebe Smith, Bryan Wentworth, Joel Anderson, Jessica Baumeister, Hannah
Wolff, Amy Augspurger, Jackie Howell, Jessica Meyer

Readers' Theatre "What's Happening, Hamlet?" - Nick Rizzi, Jordan Meyer,
Mackie Saylor, Bobby Karau, Kevin Mott, Shabana Basha, Ashi Carlson, Natalie
Krause

TV News - Allan Collender, Meagan Tunink, Megan Carlson, Allison Fayard, Kim
Cooper, Katie Glenn, Katie Harrington, Brianna Nelson, Ryan Deatrick

Radio Broadcasting - Bryan Wentworth, Amy Augspurger, Meridee Munford,
Alanna Meyer, Brianna Nelson, Breg Pingel

Group Improvisational Acting - Emily Johansen, Hannah Wolff, Katie Glenn,
Kelsi Johnsonk Jessica Meyer

Group Improvisational Acting -Andy Petersen, Kim Cooper, Paul Spooner, Taryn
Giese

Group Improvisational Acting - Bailey Johansen, Amanda Johnson, Trevor
McGraw, Greg Pingel

Ensemble Acting, "Anniversary" - Elizabeth Riordan, Joel Anderson

Ensemble Acting, "My Sister in This House" - Kayla Hubbard, Melissa DeGraaf

Ensemble Acting, "Blind Date" - Jordan Meyer, Kevin Mott, Kallie Yearick,
Caroline McKinney

Group Mime "Pandora's Box" - Melissa DeGraaf, Kayla Hubbard, Langen
Goldstien, Ciara Pearce

Group Mime "Ups and Downs" - Shabana Basha, Ashli Carlson

Solo Mime: "Chim Chim Cheree" -Kelly Pierce

Did you know that Waukee hosted the State Jazz Band Festival on Saturday
1-27?  Thanks to all the volunteers and our instructors for showing Waukee
hospitality to these great bands.  Waukee Jazz 2 received a 2 rating and
Jazz 1 received a 1 rating!  Way to go kids and instructors Jeff Patterson
and Wayne Page.

Did you know that thanks to the great leadership from Dr. Wilkerson and
Duane VanGorp, our district bond rating has been upgraded by Moody's!
Several years ago when school funding by the state was cut, we used much of
our cash reserve to keep the doors open and continue to provide great
education.  After several years of watching our budget and building up our
cash reserve, Moody's finally upgraded our bond rating from A2 to A1.  This
action means we will pay less interest when selling our construction bonds
saving the district thousands of dollars per issue.  

Thanks to Nichole Benge and the Brookview PTO for inviting me to their
January 22 meeting to discuss state standards for schools.  Margaret Buckton
from the Iowa Association of School Boards agreed to join us to share the
data and expectations from this year's legislative session,  Cindi McDonald
attended to share what the state standards will mean to our district, and
Russ Wiesley (who also represents Waukee on  the State School Board also
joined us.  Thanks to everyone for the opportunity to have an informative
discussion on a topic that will impact us soon.  For more information go to
www.ia-sb.org <http://www.ia-sb.org/> .

Waukee Show Choirs are again impressing the competition!  At the Johnston
competition, High Voltage took first place, Spirit took 4th place in their
division and Millennium took 4th place in the afternoon and came back to
take 1st runner up in the evening finale!  

High Voltage and Stellar Force will compete this Friday Feb 2 at the huge
Urbandale contest while Spirit and Millennium head to Okoboji the next week.
If you haven't seen these groups before, make the effort to attend an event.
You will be amazed at the talent and energy!

At our January 23 board meeting, we accepted the FY06 Certified Annual
Financial Report,  Authorized advertisement for bids for the next Middle
School Construction Project and awarded the low bid for the sale of $18.9
million of local option sales tax bonds that will finish paying off current
construction.  As you know, the local option taxes have been a huge help in
meeting our building needs, but will not be enough for our next round of
building.  We anticipate the need for a bond referendum to pay for these
buildings in the near future.

Sheila Allen, Careers instructor at Prairieview also gave a presentation on
how she is implementing the new law requiring schools to assist 8th grade
students in planning their 4-year high school experience.  Her model helps
students assess their talents and interests, career options within those
interests and then what high school classes will be needed to pursue those
goals.  

COMING EVENTS

Waukee Area Arts Council Presents Two Great Events in One Evening on
Thursday, February 1 Students on Stage, featuring the Waukee Middle School
Y-Teens Drama Club directed by Sarah Schaefer, will entertain at the
Chit-n-Chat Coffee House. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Performance starts at 6:30.
Then, head over to the Waukee High School Auditorium for the WHS Speech
Festival Night at the high school auditorium. See the best of the best!
Winners of the District Speech Contest present their improvs, readers
theater, mime, one-act plays, ensemble acting, TV News and more at 7:30 PM.
Come and see the groups that will compete at the State Contest. Warrior
String Quartet plays in the commons starting at 7:00 before the festival.
Refreshments served at intermission. This evening of superior talent is free
and the public is welcome. We are looking for volunteers to help with
greeting, ushering, and serving cookies and punch at the Speech Festival.
Contact Jane Olson at 402-7870 or email waac at hickorytech.net

YMCA Offers Parent's Night Out

Parent's Night Out will be February 9th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Parents can
sign their children up starting February 1st. We will provide quality care,
fun activities, and a light snack. The cost for members is $10 per child
with a maximum of $30 per family. The cost for program members is $15 per
child with a maximum of $45 per family. 

Daddy/Daughter Night at the Waukee Family YMCA

On Friday, February 23rd, we will hold a Daddy/Daughter night at the Waukee
Family YMCA. Registration will be February 1st through February 22nd, and
the cost will be $10 per family. We will be having a western theme, so come
prepared to line dance.

Brookview 4th grade fine arts night  Feb 8 at high school auditorium.

Eason 4th grade fine arts night Feb 6 at high school auditorium.

Walnut Hills 4th grade fine arts night  Feb 13 .

Waukee Elementary 4th grade fine arts night Jan 30.

Sixth annual Waukee - Norwalk joint band concert  Feb 12  at high school
auditorium.  

"I think the success of any school can be measured by the contributions the
alumni make to our national life." 
                                                                  John
Fitzgerald Kennedy

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

ANSWER:  We had 2768 students in the 2001-02 school year.  Over 2300 new
students in 5 years!  Welcome to Waukee!

Wayne Cooper

Waukee School Board

 <mailto:WayneC941 at mchsi.com> 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. 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://waukeebands.org/pipermail/news_waukeebands.org/attachments/20070130/5671da6a/attachment-0001.html 