[News] FW: March Waukee School Update
Wayne Cooper
waynec941 at mchsi.com
Thu Mar 1 22:32:24 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.
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March 1, 2007
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www.waukee.k12.ia.us <http://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/>
Welcome to our new elementary Principals!
Mr. Chris Smith, currently the principal at Cedar Heights Elementary in
Cedar Falls, has accepted the Walnut Hills Elementary principal position for
next year. Michelle Lettington, currently the principal at Terrace
Elementary in Ankeny, has accepted the Maple Grove position. Many of you
remember Michelle as the 5th grade teacher for your child. We're thrilled
that both have chosen to join our team at Waukee and look forward to working
with them in the future. They are both outstanding educational leaders in
their current districts. Please take the time to welcome Chris and welcome
back Michelle to our district.
Waukee Academic Boosters
On Feb. 2, I had the chance to visit part of the Academic Booster meeting.
Where Mrs. Wouters along with Mrs. Tener and Mrs. Burrack presented a great
summary of our gifted program at Waukee and how parents can help meet the
needs of their children who are gifted academically. Mrs. Wouters discussed
how students are selected for her program, how she works with classroom
teachers to challenge students, and how professional development for
teachers is the key to successfully working with gifted students. I was
interested in her assessment of identifying bright students from gifted
learners and how parents have as much a role in supporting their child's
learning as teachers have. The school board also heard a report from the
entire ELP Team at our meeting on the 27th, so I will try to share more
about the program in future updates.
Thanks to Mrs. Wouters, Extended Learning Program K - 5 Gifted and Talented
Education for sharing the following summary of the academic boosters.
The Waukee Academic Boosters organized Fall 2006, and began meeting in
October. Meetings are scheduled the first Thursday of each month at
Prairieview Media Center, 6:30 p.m. The objective of the Waukee Academic
Boosters is to form "a support group for parents and caregivers of
academically high ability and gifted students in the Waukee school district
to enhance each child's leaning experience through adult education,
resources and mutual support." A parent survey completed at the October
meeting has guided the topics for the remaining meetings. Meetings are
informational and the topics discussed have been: The Social and Emotional
Needs of Gifted Children, Great Gift Ideas to Encourage Critical Thinking,
and Best Practices in Gifted Education: Waukee School's Extended Learning
Program. The topic for March 1 will be Talking to Your Child's Teacher:
Parent / Teacher Conferences. Interested parents are invited to attend
upcoming meetings scheduled for March 1, April 5 (Topic : Summer
Opportunities) and May 3.
Additionally, Internet sites listed below provide a variety of resources
regarding gifted education and may be of interest to parents.
Iowa Talented and Gifted Association: http://www.iowatag.org/ National
Association for Gifted Children: http://www.nagc.org/ Hoagies Gifted
Education Page: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/ University of Iowa: Belin
Blank Center: http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/
Iowa State University, OPPTAG: http://www.opptag.iastate.edu/ Davidson
Institute for Talent Development: http://www.ditd.org/
At our Feb 27 board meeting our entire ELP team presented an excellent
summary of our program and plans to develop our program even further to help
meet the needs of all of our gifted students.
Earlier that evening I visited Chat & Chew to watch the Middle School
Y-Teens drama club showcase a series of games used to develop their skills
at the monthly Waukee Area Arts Council Students on Stage event. Thanks to
Sarah Shaefer for leading this fun group of students. I think our speech
program will be in good hands as these students work their way into high
school.
Our schools continued their efforts to help others this month, Thanks to
the entire Brookview school for their two week effort bringing coins for
Relay for Life. Finding a cure for cancer should be a goal for all of us.
Eason Elementary completed Jump Rope for Heart, Prairieview is doing "Penny
Wars" to support the Animal Rescue League. It seems like all of our
building have ongoing options to give our students and families a way to
help those less fortunate.
Did you know that Brookview is seeking more C.A.R.E. Volunteers? If you are
someone who could be a Caring And Responsible Encourager and spend 30
minutes each week with a child who could benefit from some extra help with
academics or support socially, please contact Mrs. Mavis at 987-5166 or
kmavis at waukee.k12.ia.us. C.A.R.E. is an amazing program where a
volunteer's efforts are seen immediately through the smile and anticipation
of each child. Can you devote 30 minutes a week to make a difference in the
life of one of our students?
In December, Brent Heitland and Heather Every were honored at the Iowa Track
and Field Coach's Banquet. Brent was honored as 2006 4A At-Large Boys Track
Coach of the Year. Heather was honored as 2006 4A At-Large Girls Cross
Country Coach of the Year.
Please join me in congratulating these two great coaches for a fantastic
season and for the well deserved recognition.
ARTISTS, CRAFTERS and VENDORS of all types are invited to participate in
the first ever Prairieview Buyers Bazaar Fundraiser to be held on Saturday
October 20, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Prairieview School located at 655
Southeast University Avenue in Waukee, Iowa.
A standard 10' x 10' space is available for $85.00. Electricity is an
additional $10.00. Larger spaces may also be rented.
Applications accepted by date received and are Millie Thomson
(515) 987-0676
available at Prairieview School or by calling Millie Thomson at (515)
987-0676 or Kelly Stotts at (515) 987-1462.
All proceeds will help Prairieview support programs that will benefit
students and staff.
PARENTS, if you would like to help with this event please call.
Congratulations to Eason students, Rachel Brush who won the 3rd grade
division of the Dallas County Reading Council's writing and poetry contest
for her poem titled "Soccer", and to Nathan Brush who won the kindergarten
division with his poem "Monster Jam". Both will be going on to the State
contest and will be honored at a reception on March 5. Also Emily Brush who
won first place in the 7th grade competition through the Middle school with
her poem "A day at the Zoo".
Congratulations to Walnut Hills students, Madelyn White, who placed in the
5th grade creating writing division with her story "The Three Little
Elephants", Anslee Kapsch, second grade poetry winner with her poem
"Christmas Tree", Megan McDonald, 4th grade winner with "Michelle Kwan", and
Kenzie Tennison, 5th grade with "My Closet". They will also go on to state
competition and be honored at the March 5 reception.
Thanks to Chris Jacobs for letting me know that her husband Ron Jacobs has
taken several pictures at various sporting events throughout the year. To
view the latest WHS activity albums, go to www.jacobsgymnastics.com, scroll
down on the home page to the box "Go Waukee Warriors" Click and it will take
to the page. There are currently photos from Varsity boys and girls
basketball (vs. Marshalltown and Indianola). Varsity and JV wrestling (vs.
Valley and Marshalltown). Cheerleader pictures, Hockey pictures... There
are also several shots of pep band, cheerleaders, fans... in those albums.
We offer these pictures simply because we feel students/athletes enjoy them.
This is strictly a volunteer effort. The page is updated regularly.
The direct link is: http://www.jacobsgymnastics.com/whs%20sports.htm .
Chris also corrected last months update by advising that the hockey team has
Waukee student members from grades 9-12, not just Prairieview as I reported.
Did you know that Ronald McDonald visited Eason this month giving a fun and
informative program on positive characteristics?
Congratulations to Harrison Holthaus, a 5th grader at Waukee Elementary who
is one of 11 finalists in the AEA Spelling Bee held on Jan. 20. Harrison
will compete in the state competition at the Historical Building on March 3.
It was another great month for our show choirs. High Voltage placed 2nd and
Stellar Force 3rd at the Urbandale competition on Feb. 9, and Spirit
finished 2nd in prep and Millenium 2nd in 4 A and 2nd place in finals at
Okoboji on Feb. 10.
Did you hear that our high school large group speech students again had a
wonder day at the state contest? Awarded the opportunity to move on to
All-State competition at ISU on Feb 17 were:
Readers Theatre: The Scarlet Letter (Paul Spooner, Chelsea Korpanty, Phoebe
Smith, Bryan Wentworth, Joel Anderson, Jessica Baumeister, Hannah Wolff, Amy
Augspurger, Jackie Howell and Jessica Meyer.)
Solo Mime: Chim Chim Cheree (Kelly Pierce)
Group Mime: non-performing Pandora's Box (Melissa DeGraaf, Kayla Hubbard,
Langen Goldstien, and Ciara Pearce)
TV News: (Allan Collender, Meagan Tunink, Megan Carlson, Allison Fayard,
Kim Cooper, Katie Glenn, Katie Harrington, Brianna Nelson, and Ryan
Deatrick.)
Congratulations to all of these students and coaches: Jan Bishop, Becky
Scholes, Brian Christensen, Nicole Crawford, Angela Long and Kim Kramer.
A huge congratulations to Kathleen Dutcher and Paul Spooner selected as
members of the Iowa All-State Jazz Choir. Only 16 students from the entire
state were selected! This is a huge honor. Congrats to these students,
Mrs. Hall and all of the other Jazz Choir members who auditioned for this
very select honor!
Special thanks to the Waukee Community School Foundation Board, the Dollars
for Scholars Board and the over 50 volunteer committee who organized a
fantastic Wild West Waukee dinner and auction on Feb. 3. If you didn't
attend, you missed a great evening o fun and excitement as over 600
community members filled the 7 Flags Events Center for good food, good
fellowship and good music. Oh yes, thanks to everyone who helped raise
substantial funds for the foundation, whether they shared their ability to
bid thousands of dollars during the live auction or sacrificed to purchase a
dollar ticket for the raffle. I believe it again showed that we are a very
diverse community, but one that pulls together to help make our school
district one we can be proud of! Please join me in thanking the executive
chairs: Susan Bunz, Tamera Hanson, Joyce Mundus, Mary Sheve and Kris Urban
for their dedicated efforts!
On Saturday, Waukee Jazz 1 and Jazz 2 traveled to Earlham for the 21st
annual Jack Oatts Jazz Festival. Waukee Jazz 2 placed fourth and Jazz 1
placed second. Jazz 1 was also awarded the outstanding trumpet section for
class 4A. Congratulations to all.
Congratulations to the Boys Swim Team as they wrapped up the CIML Dual Meet
Champions and the CIML Conference Meet Champions! Their only loss the
entire season was to Valley by a slim margin! CIML Conference Meet Results:
Rob Bany-Conference Champion in the 200 Medley Relay, Conference Runner-up
in the 100 Back, 5th in the 200 IM, and 10th on the 400 Free Relay. Scott
Herren-Conference Runner-up in the 200 Free, 3rd in the 500 Free and 400
Free Relay and 9th on the 200 Free Relay. Austin Foster-8th in the 200
Medley relay, 4th in the 100 Breaststroke, 11th in the 200 Free Relay, and
25th in the 50 Free. Carrick McKeon-12th in the 400 Free Relay, 19th in the
Medley Relay, 20th in the 100 Breaststroke, and 44th in the 50 Free. Great
job men!
At the state swim meet, Rob Bany came in 12th in the 200 Medley Relay and
22nd in the 100 Backstroke. Scott Herren came in 21st in the 400 Free
Relay. Team finished 18th overall! Thanks to Mr. Daniel Briggs for sharing
the results of a great season!
And, the Waukee YMCA Rays Swim Team qualified 36 swimmers for the State Meet
in Marshalltown in just the second year of existence!
Did you know that PaySchools-On Line Payment System is coming soon? Check
the district web page for information on PaySchools - the Upcoming on-line
payment system. I think this will prove to be a welcome option for many of
you to pay selected items.
The Waukee Varsity Dance Team competed at the CSA competition in Davenport.
The team placed 1st in the large school varsity jazz division. The team also
had 5 members competing their solos. Madi Williams placed 2nd overall and
LiPing Vong placed 1st. Both girls were awarded scholarships for their
outstanding performances. Congratulations!
Congratulations to our high school bowling team for again making it to
State!
Did you know that students from the Chinese Association of Iowa visited
Eason Elementary on Feb. 12 to talk to 4th graders about Chinese culture ?
I was told that the Chinese students were amazed that everyone in America
gets to attend school.
Congratulations Freshman Wrestlers!! Nathin Felt and Brenton Marcum were JV
Conference champs on Feb. 3rd at the JV Conference tournament. Chris
Hallinan is the Freshman wrestler of the week for going 4-1 at the CIML
Conference meet last Friday. He placed 5th out of 17 and avenged an early
season loss to Justin Mather of Valley by defeating him 4-3. Other placers
were Dalton Stifel who also avenged an earlier loss by defeating Riley
Banach of Ames and placed 7th of 17, and Tim Ellingson who placed 8th out of
18. Our freshman had the best showing!
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK: Drew Love is the high school wrestler of the week for
placing 3rd out of 17 competitors in the 171 lb weight class at the CIML
Conference tournament last Friday.
The school board has passed the first draft of a policy that will protect
the growing number of elementary students who have life threatening peanut
allergies. The policy restricts the presence of peanuts or peanut products
in any elementary building. The decision was made to protect the safety of
our students. The Iowa legislature has introduced a bill that would make
this a state-wide policy. We recognize the inconvenience this may cause
some families, and have heard from several of you, but believe we have a
responsibility to protect the safety of all students. Check with your
building office if you have any questions so that you can provide input
before we consider the policy for second reading at our March 13 board
meeting.
Thanks to Ellen Pieper for sharing the following. I thought many of you
would appreciate it.
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a
CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid
going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to
become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about
teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point
he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you
make?"
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to
know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a
C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40
minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without
an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make? (She
paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids
wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize
and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their
actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them
read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my
students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English
while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a
place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to say the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of
America.. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they
were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to
judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention
because they have no clue... You want to know what I make?" I MAKE A
DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"
THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT: "Teachers make every other
Profession."
Thanks to Immanuel Lutheran for hosting a concert by the ISU Singers and
Waukee's A Cappella Choir on Feb. 14. It was another great opportunity to
hear one of the outstanding college choirs in the country along with our own
A Cappella students.
Looking for a Preschool?
Waukee Happy Time Preschool is currently accepting registrations for the
'07-'08 school year. We are located in the Waukee United Methodist Church
and offer morning preschool programs for children ages three to five years
old. Please call Sherri TeKippe for more information at 987-0943 or
987-8648.
The Waukee Family YMCA is also accepting registrations for their Preschool.
Contact the YMCA at (515) 987-3633 for information and materials. They are
also taking reservations for Rookie T-Ball, summer camps, summer swim
lessons and adult boot camp! Spaces can fill up quickly, so now is the time
to call!
Thanks to everyone in the community who helped the Waukee Family YMCA exceed
this years goal of over $100,000 for the annual Partner With Youth event.
This important annual fundraiser allows the Y to provide child care and
programming to children and families who can't afford the services. You
have shown again that we are a caring community who cares about those around
us who are in need! But, the goal still doesn't meet the annual need, so
if you were not contacted and have the ability to help fund the full need,
please contact Kim Stewart at the YMCA to discuss how you can assist. (515)
987-3633.
If you didn't hear, our District Administration Building was flooded last
week and has moved into the new band room at the High School until damage
can be repaired in several months. As you can imagine, it may be more
difficult for those folks to provide the same timely assistance as usual if
it requires looking up records that aren't on-line, so be patient and
encouraging as they work through this stressful transition.
Thanks to Lisa and the Middle School PTO for hosting the district wide Q&A
session Monday night. The questions ranged from student growth, how we are
doing academically, how we do curriculum review, ELP program, block
scheduling, and the long range building plans. Thanks to Roxanne Cumming,
Cindy McDonald and Brad Buck for taking their time to answer questions and
dialogue with the group who attended.
At our Feb 28 board meeting we received a report from the Waukee Facility
Committee and accepted their recommendations for the long term building
plans for our district. Dave Duncan and Julie Harvey shared the work that
the 9 member citizen committee did over the last year and the reasoning
behind their recommendations that include:
Holding a referendum in January 2008 a $65-$70 million building plan that
won't increase the tax rate and will include:
Classroom additions to Prairieview to open fall of 2009
A new elementary to open in July 2010
A new middle school to open in July 2010
The final classroom addition for the High School to open in July
2011
A new elementary to replace Waukee Elementary or meet increased
enrollment to open in July 2012.
The proposal also recommended maximum building sizes, which will
lead to a 2nd high school in 2015-2016.
The long range plan would develop into one 6-7 building and one
8-9 building feeding into each HS.
As with any long range plan, we know the details must remain
flexible as we know actual enrollments and know what amount of
bonding capacity is available in the future.
Committee members included: Dave Duncan, Julie Harvey, Becky Brdicko,
Leonard Gutshall, Tracy Jagim, Renee Menz, Jane Patton, Kent Porter and Kris
Urban. Thanks to all of you for your hard work, good research and strong
recommendation based on the best facts available to us. I'm sure we can
expect a large number of meetings and publicity on these recommendations
over the next year.
The next evening, Board President Tracy Lepeltak and I attended a training
session conducted by the Iowa Association of School Boards that dealt with
"Getting the Message out about Public Education". The training was
excellent as always, and we can hopefully put the recommendations to work in
sharing the Facility Committee Recommendations.
A few coming events that were shared with me by parents:
Walnut Hills Science Fair for students K-4 will be held April 16. Projects
to be completed at home and judged the day of the event.
Brookview 5th grade fine arts night, March 6 High School auditorium.
Waukee Elementary Spring Family Fun Fest: March 3 6:00 - 8:00 pm
The Varsity Dance Team will host a dance clinic for children in grades K-7
from 9:00 - Noon on March 31.
Middle School performance, "Comic Book Artist", March 15 in the gym with
over 100 6th grade students participating.
Waukee Academic Boosters
Our next meeting is Thursday, March 1 at 6:30. We will be discussing Summer
Opportunities for Your Children and Talking to Your Child's Teacher. For
this meeting we would like to compile a list of summer camps, programs, etc.
Please send me information, including a web address, on programs you have
found positive and worthwhile by February 25. Please include a variety of
programs including those from our local library to those available from
state universities and local colleges. Mrs. Wouters asked me to share this
one from ISU. www.opptag.iastate.edu/summer
<outbind://34/www.opptag.iastate.edu/summer>
Sorry for the length of this update. It was a busy month with great
accomplishments by our students and staff!
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
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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