Progress
Iowa Central CommunIty College
TERESA JACKSON, theater director at Iowa Central Community College, snips a green ribbon to mark the
campus on April 19, 2024. To the
years
are
Building for the future
n Center for Performing Arts debuts at Iowa Central n Iowa Central Storm Lake Learning Center opens
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
Hard hats and work trucks have been a common sight around Iowa Central Community College facilities in the last few years.
About $40 million worth of work on college facilities has been completed in roughly three and a half years.
On the Fort Dodge campus, the most striking of those facilities is the new Center for Performing Arts and the renovated Decker Auditorium.
The college also opened a new Learning Center in Storm Lake.
New arts venue
The Center for Performing Arts and the refurbished Decker Auditorium debuted in April.
The 1,200-seat auditorium is the largest venue of its kind in the Fort Dodge area. It was built in the 1970s.
In the project that began two years ago, the interior was essentially gutted. New electrical, lighting and sound systems were installed. The entire building was made accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
PEOPLE CHAT ON THE STAGE of the newly renovated Decker Auditorium at Iowa Central Community College April 19, 2024, during the open house for the auditorium and the new Center for Performing Arts, which is adjacent to it.
The auditorium was named after the late Dale and Donna Decker, of Fort Dodge. Their son and daughter-in-law, Don and Dianne Decker, donated $1 million to help pay for the renovation. The new two-story Center for the Performing Arts was built onto the south side of the auditorium. The building’s first floor features: n A large room where the marching and concert bands can practice. n A shop for building theatrical sets.
-Messenger file photo by Bill Shea
debut of the new Center for Performing Arts and renovated Decker Auditorium on the Fort Dodge
left of her
Dianne and Don Decker, who donated $1 million for the project. The auditorium was named after his parents, Dale and Donna Decker, several
ago. To the right of Jackson is college President Jesse Ulrich.
-Messenger file photo by Bill Shea
Iowa Central CommunIty College
Serving students
Iowa Central’s North Central Regional Center in Eagle Grove serves a broad community
By CHRIS FULLERTON editor@messengernews.net
EAGLE GROVE — Iowa
Central Community College’s North Central Regional Center — NCRC — has been serving students in the broader community since 2014. Located at 216 S. Park Drive in Eagle Grove, the site housed an Iowa Army National Guard unit for more than 50 years.
In 2014, the building was donated to Eagle Grove by the National Guard and, with the foresight of community service, then-Eagle Grove Mayor Darrell Betterman and Iowa Central President Dan Kinney proposed to use the site for its current purpose: an educational bridge to a college degree.
The NCRC enrolled its first students in 2014 while still under renovation.
Today, enrollment in the NCRC and all of its programs, which are designed to help students determine their career pathways, are 100 percent free to high school students from Eagle Grove, Webster City and Clarion. All credits earned at the NCRC feed into other Iowa Central programs and transfer to state universities.
NCRC offers several career pathway programs.
The manufacturing and technology program is a handson learning experience where students have access to stateof-the-art milling and lathing machines, as well as their own welding station. The focus of the program is on welding, metal working and blueprint reading. This two-semester program earns students 17 credits.
The Health Sciences pathway program is designed for students who are interested in
the health field. Students can study to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), take nursing prerequisite courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Nutrition and Developmental Psychology.
Students have access to cutting edge technology with the use of an Anatomage Table. This table is the size of a hospital bed, covered by a giant touch screen and connected to a computer. The instructor can project realistic images of the human body, all of its systems, and can manipulate the image to show any number of abnormalities for student observation and study.
Students also practice real-life skills in the classroom with the use of mannequins, that are full body patient simulators. Classrooms emulate a true hospital setting with beds, wheelchairs and common equipment found in nursing facilities. At the conclusion of this program, students earn 18 credits.
The Teacher Academy pathway prepares students interested in entering an academic teaching career. This program offers coursework related to the principles of teaching. Courses may include Educational Psychology, Biology, U.S. History and Music Appreciation. This pathway allows students to earn 19 credits.
The High School Options program allows students from Eagle Grove High School to earn their high school diploma at the NCRC. This is a self-paced program where students receive in-class lessons in math, reading, writing, as well as science and social studies fundamentals. Stu-
“In this environment, they meet new students and learn to navigate new partnerships in and out of class. It is their first experience with a college level class that has different expectations from high school.”
— Colleen Bartlett, Career Academy specialist
dents work with computerized curriculum at their own pace and level to prepare for the High School Equivalency Test (HISET). Upon completion of this program, students may enroll in Iowa Central classes and degree programs.
Undecided students may consider the Liberal Arts pathway, which offers a variety of courses from the fields of science, social science, and humanities that can filter into as-
sociate degree programs at Iowa Central. Additionally, NCRC offers English Language Learner (ELL) classes for adults 18 and over; day and evening classes are available. Students use computer-based curriculum and textbooks to acquire the English skills they need to succeed in the workplace and their community. What makes NCRC unique?
Colleen Bartlett, Career
LEFT: Life-size mannequins
a
Academy specialist, spoke about the positive transitional and socialization aspects that the center provides students.
“Students come from small towns and have grown up with their classmates,” she said. “In this environment, they meet new students and learn to navigate new partnerships in and out of class. It is their first experience with a college level class that has different expectations from high school. The rules are different, the instructors are unfamiliar and the learning platforms are different. Students learn to be more independent as they make their way through the program.”
She recalls a student who came back to visit after some years who told her that he never thought he could go to college, but attending the program gave him the confidence he needed and he is now enrolled in a master’s program.
The North Central Regional Center can give the community’s high school students a free head start in obtaining a college degree or a trade.
For more information on the enrollment process, contact Colleen Bartlett at 515574-1974.
-Messenger file photos by Chris Fullerton
ABOVE: The North Central Regional Center is located at 216 S. Park Ave. in Eagle Grove.
provide
realistic learning experience in the Health Sciences pathway program at the North Central Regional Center.
‘We are grateful’
St. Edmond Catholic School sees 20 percent increase in students
By KELLI BLOOMQUIST editor@messengernews.net
Catholic schools around Io-
wa have seen an increase of more than 5 percent for the 2024-2025 school year, according to the Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Sioux City.
Locally, that equated to more than 120 new students in the St. Edmond Catholic School this year.
According to Maury Ruble, principal for both the middle and high school, that growth was the largest among the four area diocesan schools at 20 percent.
“We are grateful for the students who have chosen St. Edmond and look forward to assisting them with their personal growth and academic goals,” said Ruble.
“This has been really exciting, and our goal is to keep the students here through graduation,” said St. Edmond Elementary Principal Tabitha Acree. “The other thing that has helped our school is the addition of the 3-yearold preschool, because most of those students are continuing on into our 4-year-old program and that keeps them here because they have had two years of connection.”
Ruble, along with 16 new staff members, also joined St. Edmond Catholic School this year.
“I am very much looking forward to my new role as principal at St. Edmond Catholic,” said Ruble at the beginning of the year. “The faculty has been extremely supportive and positive about working collaboratively to serve our students.”
MATT KLEPSTEEN, left, of Fort Dodge, and Dawn Klepsteen of Fort Dodge, walk their daughter Kinley Klepsteen, 5, to her kindergarten class on the first day of school
St. Edmond hires new principal
By DANA BECKER dbecker@messengernews.net
St. Edmond Catholic School hired a new principal in 2024 to lead its sixth through 12th grade classes.
Maurice (Maury) Ruble began his tenure with the school on July 1, 2024. He previously served as a middle school and high school principal within the Ogden Community School District.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled by the opportunity to serve as the 6-12 principal at St. Edmond Catholic School,” Ruble said. “It is an honor to be entrusted with such an important role in shaping the lives of our students, and I look forward to working with the entire school community to provide the best possible education and faith-based leadership for our young people.
“My family and I could not be more excited to join the St. Edmond family.”
Ruble holds a master’s degree in education/administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix.
He has also served as an assistant principal and activities director at Bondurant-Farrar High School.
St. Edmond board members worked with Grundmeyer Leader Services, of Huxley, to conduct the search for a new principal. Ruble was interviewed by parents, teachers and community members.
“The St. Edmond school board was very pleased with the applicants that we received through Grundmeyer Leader Services,” school board President Mike Johnson said. “Mr. Ruble’s combination of experience and faith are exactly what we were looking for.”
Fort Dodge welcomes St. Edmond band students
By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@messengernews.net
Through collaboration with Fort Dodge Community School District and St. Edmond Catholic School, Gael band students joined Fort Dodge’s All-American Marching Band last fall
“We are so excited about them coming to play at halftime of our Homecoming game,” said St. Edmond Activities Director David Flattery last fall. “Brandon Ruffridge reached out and put me in touch with Al Paulson about coordinating the (Homecoming) show. Laura Klein-Ferry (assistant band director and color guard coach) has also been in touch with us.
“Football and marching band go hand and hand and ... bring a college game day feel.” Before school started, St. Edmond reached out to Fort Dodge to begin the collaboration.
“We were unable to fill a band teaching position, so we reached out to be able to give our band kids the opportunity,” Flattery said. “(Fort Dodge Superintendent) Josh Porter helped us put it together before school started.
“There was a lot that went into making sure our students aligned with their band schedule in the first period.”
THIS YEAR ST. EDMOND BAND STUDENTS have joined Fort Dodge Senior High. The Dodger marching band played a halftime show at St. Edmond’s Homecoming game against Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire Schools last fall at Dodger Stadium.
St. Edmond students were a part of the FDSH marching band as well as the other bands that Fort Dodge has to offer this school year.
Paulson, who has been the FDSH band director for 12 years, and the Dodger students welcomed the new members with open arms.
“They are part of us now and that’s the way it is,” Paulson said. “Right
now there are two seniors and a freshman. They are excited about the marching band and it gives them the opportunity to play.”
The band showcased its show from “Chicago” and it also learned the St. Edmond fight song and played it during the
Gaels Homecoming game against GTRA.
Paulson has seen a smooth transition as the band members have come together and the administrations as well.
“The administration has been very positive,” Paulson said. “I’ve talked with Mr. (Brandon) Ruffridge (activities director) and we all are so excited about having this and what it looks like.”
With the new opportunity, St. Edmond students interested in music have been able to keep playing.
“The kids have been taking advantage of the opportunity and they are enjoying it,” Flattery said. “We’ve had a marching band in the past and they played at one game during the season.
“This gives our students a chance to be in the marching band and we also have a girl in the orchestra.”
The minute Porter and the FDSH schools found out St. Edmond wouldn’t have a band, he was quick to offer support.
“Al Paulson came up with the idea to play at Homecoming and it’s going to be awesome and different for them,” Porter said. “Anytime we can collaborate and show support for St. Edmond is great for each other. We work hard to build a good relationship.
“It’s really important in Fort Dodge and the community to work together, as well as Iowa Central, sharing the stadium.”
-Photo by Melissa Allison
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla MAURICE (MAURY) RUBLE, principal of grades 6-12 at St. Edmond Catholic School, leads an assembly on the first day of school. At left is the Rev. Ross Canigla, and at right is Tabitha Acree, St. Edmond elementary principal.
-Messenger file photos by Britt Kudla
last fall at St. Edmond Catholic School.
Iowa Central CommunIty College
Continued from Page 1D
n An instrument and ensemble room.
n Two dressing rooms directly behind the Decker Auditorium stage.
n A drama and theater room.
n Small rooms where musicians can practice.
n Faculty offices.
Upstairs, there are two classrooms, a large music classroom and a conference room. The $14.5 million project was designed by OPN Architects, of Des Moines. Klinger Construction, of Sioux City, was the general contractor.
Storm Lake site
“Our new center will be full of students who are earning college credit for high-demand and high-paying jobs in this region,” said college President Jesse Ulrich.
The new Learning Center will offer a vari-
ety of programs to students throughout the day and evenings, including advanced manufacturing, business, computer science/programming, electrical technologies, industrial mechanics, liberal arts, and health science programs such as nursing, and the teaching academy.
The Learning Center will also serve as a career academy for five northwest Iowa school districts and provide Community Education and English Language Learner courses in the evening.
Custom Designed Memorials
Local companies will also be able to utilize the space to train employees.
“Our vision to bring all of our services in Storm Lake onto one campus started three years ago with the completion of our industrial training center,” said Ulrich.
“With the new Storm Lake Learning Center, we are able to better serve students, use our resources more efficiently and create a better experience for our students.”
The new Learning Center is a two-story building with 16 classrooms, an Academic Resource Center, and a testing center. According to Ulrich, the new modern classrooms in the Learning Center include learning labs that provide students with hands-on training, especially for students in the nursing program. Construction on the $10 million facility began in the spring of 2023.
Iowa Central received a $2.3 million Rural Economic Development loan, a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help pay for it.
IOWA CENTRAL PRESIDENT JESSE ULRICH and Gov. Kim Reynolds cut the ribbon at the new Storm Lake Learning Center last fall.
St. Paul lutheran School
St. Paul Lutheran School sees enrollment growing Increasing in number
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
There are more students walking the halls of St. Paul Lutheran School in Fort Dodge this year.
“We are increasing our numbers,” said Principal Bruce Hartley.
He said that over the last four years, enrollment at the school has grown from about 75 students to more than 100 students.
He attributed part of the increase to the state government’s Education Savings Accounts, which permit some
money to be used for
The accounts provide about $7,600 to each qualifying student enrolled in an accredited private school.
“That has helped us,” Hartley said. “Also word of mouth and being able to help our preschool families feel a bit more connected to the rest of the school.”
He said parents sometimes view preschool as separate from the rest of their child’s education, and they will enroll the child at St. Paul for preschool but send them somewhere else for kindergarten and later grades.
To connect the preschool families with the rest of St. Paul, preschoolers have been invited to chapel services with the older students and some all-school events, such as an upcoming picnic for Lutheran Schools Week, have been held.
“There’s just a lot of different things that we’re doing to make the preschool families more connected,” Hartley said.
One of the most obvious results of having a bigger student body is that the third- and
fourth-grade classes have been separated. Previously, the thirdand fourth-graders were in the same classroom with the same teacher. Now they are in separate rooms with separate teachers.
St. Paul students are now being taught computer coding at an earlier age.
Hartley said each student is assigned a computer starting in kindergarten. Now the thirdand fourth-graders are being taught some coding. Instruction in coding continues through eighth grade, which is the highest grade level at the school.
St. Paul Lutheran School was established in 1863, about 10 years after Fort Dodge became a city. A new school building was constructed in 1895. The current school building at 1217 Fourth Ave. S. was built in 1950.
-Messenger file photos
ABOVE: The students in Shawn Russell’s kindergarten class at St. Paul Lutheran School clean up their desks at the end of a school day during the 20232024 school year.
LEFT: Some of the children who attend St. Paul Lutheran join Jennie Williamson for a few songs during her 20th annual Christmas concert in December 2024.
Bruce Harley
Real-world opportunities
Southeast Valley takes learning to the greenhouse
By KELLI BLOOMQUIST editor@messengernews.net
GOWRIE — Some Southeast Valley High School students got out of the classroom and into the greenhouse last fall.
The Southeast Valley Community School District recently purchased the former Foxtail Floral greenhouse along with an attached retail shop and home to give students hands-on, real-world experiences in agriculture, business, and family and consumer sciences.
“We are always excited to provide new, real-world opportunities for our students,” said Brian Johnson, Southeast Valley superintendent.
According to Johnson, students in Noelle Buresh, Amy Jaeschke, and Johanna Kunert’s classes will be making use of the greenhouse as part of real-world, hands-on learning opportunities.
“This space will really allow students to get valuable work and career experience,” said Buresh. “In career and technical education (CTE), sometimes it is difficult to get deep into a subject when only in the traditional classroom. This space will allow students to not just learn about the subjects, but be able to experience them.”
Southeast Valley’s agriculture classes and FFA program were obvious choices for usage of the greenhouse.
“This is extremely exciting to give the students an opportunity to have this hands-on learning opportunity in the greenhouse,”
said Kunert, who teaches agriculture and is the school’s FFA
advisor. “It will get them out of the traditional classroom setting and hopefully excite them about learning. It will allow them to see plants grow from seed to finish, and give them a sense of
culture, Soil Science, Agronomy, and Ag Products classes.
“For my classes, I’ll use the greenhouse for educational reasons, such as studying nutrient deficiencies, plant anatomy,
Southeast Valley, plans to utilize the district’s new greenhouse for her culinary, hospitality, and bakery classes.
“Our culinary students will have the opportunity to grow produce that they can use to cook,” said Buresh. “I envision our bakery class expanding into the greenhouse with baking goods. I would love to see my students be able to sell goods they have made to community members when we are having plant sale events.”
Students in Jaeschke’s business class will focus on the greenhouse as a business while using their marketing, management, financial, sales, and customer service skills.
“I am also hoping that DECA members can use the greenhouse for some of their competitive events, such as business development, product innovation, marketing campaigns, and sales events,” said Jaeschke. “We would also like to be able to use the greenhouse as a resource to help fund some of the costs incurred by our DECA Chapter.”
“I just think it is really an amazing thing to work in a district that is so supportive of our CTE programs,” said Buresh. “I am a big believer in learning by doing, and the greenhouse will allow us to do just that.” Johnson said the district hopes to retain the services of former Foxtail Floral owner, Kara Stuelke, to assist the district as well.
-Messenger file photo by Kellli Bloomquist
ABOVE: Southeast Valley High School teachers Amy Jaeschke, Noelle Buresh, and Johanna Kunert have the opportunity to provide their students with real-world, hands-on experiences in business, family consumer science, and agriculture as the Southeast Valley School District has purchased a greenhouse, floral shop, and attached home in Gowrie for classroom use.
-Photo by Julie Vinsand
TOP PHOTO: Southeast Valley High School student Cornell Lowery helps an area student plant seeds at a recent event at Southeast Valley’s new school greenhouse.
Brian Johnson
Better play leads to better learning
By DOUG CLOUGH editor@messengernews.net
SAC CITY — East Sac Coun-
ty Elementary School’s playground received a much-needed reboot for the district’s preschool through sixth-grade students in the past year.
“It’s been over 30 years since the playground has been renovated,” said Julie Clayton, who is a member of the playground expansion committee.
Clayton’s children had asked their mother if they could take a basketball to school.
“I told my kids that the school should have playground equipment there,” said Clayton, who lives in rural Auburn. “When I was at the playground, I found all the elementary’s basketballs bald, and most could not hold air. It was in bad shape for all students.”
With a change in the Sac County administrative guard in 2023, Clayton saw a chance to change not only the playground for better play, but also for the better behavior of the kids.
“Our test scores were not good, and our behaviors were awful,” said Clayton. “I think half the behavior issues stemmed from the playground environment. The students had nothing to do, so they’d fight, and they’d take the fight into the classroom.”
Clayton asked for permission to write grants for new equipment. Her original proposal was for $47,000 for new balls and
other equipment that would engage all students. She found that students were eager for improvements that didn’t cost a lot of money, but rather time from volunteers.
“The students told me that at the old school in Wall Lake, they had four-square and hopscotch, which they loved,” said Clayton.
Fourth-grade teacher Dallas Pullen, art teacher Lynne Wilson, and teaching assistant Lisa Gullet joined Clayton to paint four-square, hopscotch, and tictac-toe grids.
Marie and Mike Buse, parents of children in the district, also helped by refurbishing some old soccer goals and delivered them to the playground for the children to use.
In addition, the Sac Community Recreation Center hosted a ball drive to quickly improve the fundamental pieces of the playground’s success.
“We wanted every kind of ball: kickballs, footballs, soccer balls, any kind of ball,” said Clayton. “The elementary ended up with 50 balls just from this drive. The kids were just ecstatic that they could play four square and have balls that could hold air.”
With good movement toward solving the problem, Clayton used that energy to begin writing grants with district-provided information on demographics.
“Between grants and donations, we received right at
-Submitted photo
$100,000,” said Clayton. “Superintendent Hemiller said that the best decision would be to replace the entire playground and start over. An estimate to renovate the playground, so it would be all-inclusive, came to $475,000. We went from $47,000 for new equipment to a $475,000 playground that would make a real difference for our district’s students.”
Funding came from a combination of school resources allocated to the project, donations from private individuals, companies, and grants. There was
also a local company offering in-kind labor for dirt work prep to help keep project costs within budget. This playground is designed for children aged 5 to 12. Cunningham Recreation, of Ankeny, was the playground equipment supplier working on the project. Equipment includes a telescope, zip track with zip seat, wrinkle wall, swings with zero G seats, swings with seat belts, a seesaw, an inclusive whirl, a tire swing, a set of soccer goals, and a football game made of poly by Lundell Plas-
“I think half the behavior issues stemmed from the playground environment. The students had nothing to do, so they’d fight, and they’d take the fight into the classroom.”
— Julie Clayton, Playground expansion committee member
tics of Odebolt and EVAPCO of Lake View. “I have enjoyed all the relationships built during this project and realized there are so many people who want to help find a solution leading to what’s best for our students,” said Clayton. “The positive feedback from the administration, teachers, school personnel, community members and children have made this project amazing.”
Fort DoDge Community SChool DiStriCt
A new vision
Fort Dodge Community Schools unveil new mission statements, logo going into 2024-2025 school year
‘Everyone matters, everyone belongs, everyone thrives’
FBy JOHN MCBRIDE editor@messengernews.net
or the first time in more than a decade, the Fort Dodge Community School District has unveiled a new vision statement and mission statement.
The new vision is “Everyone matters, everyone belongs, and everyone thrives in Fort Dodge Community School District.”
The new mission for the district states, “Fort Dodge Community School District strives for excellence daily, by creating a compassionate community built on high expectations, quality instruction, and meaningful relationships so everyone feels they belong and are successful.”
Both the new vision and mission were adopted as of July 1, which is traditionally the start of the new year for the district as the new school year approaches.
Superintendent Josh Porter said the process for the new vision and mission statements began last school year, and coincided with several new people in leadership roles for the district, including Porter as superintendent, Aaron Davidson as executive director of educational services and Teri Boezinger as the new director of curriculum and instruction.
“We had lots of new staff and we had the three of us in new leadership roles and we just thought, ‘What is our North Star?’” Porter said.
See FDCSD, Page 2E
-Messenger file photo by Britt Kudla CHLOE BLACK, 17, of Fort Dodge, left, and Emily Hauswith, 15, chat with Matt Elsbecker during the first day of school at Fort Dodge Senior High last August. The Fort Dodge district unveiled a new vision statement and mission statement before the start of the 20242025 school year.
Elevating learning
Anatomage table debuts at FDSH for use in health care classes
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
With a touch of her pen, Katelyn Gehlhausen moved, turned and inverted a striking three-dimensional image of a human skull during an October demonstration in a Fort Dodge Senior High School classroom.
That was all done on a tabletop that is essentially a computer screen. And revealing the details of a skull is a mere fraction of the capabilities of the new learning tool called an anatomage table.
The anatomage table is the most up-to-date device for teaching anatomy, health care classes and even some other kinds of sciences. It shows layer upon layer of the human body, uncovering muscles, blood vessels, internal organs and bones. Students can even use it to do virtual autopsies to determine causes of death.
“It’s a great, great tool,” Kiley O’Leary, a health occupations instructor at the Senior High school, said during an October open house at which the new anatomage table was unveiled.
O’Leary pushed for the district to acquire an anatomage table.
She said that Fort Dodge is one of just 10 high schools to have such a table.
“We’re very, very fortunate to have it,” she said.
The district’s Board of Education ordered the table in July and paid for it with donations rather than property tax dollars. The table was delivered in time for the current school year.
Gehlhausen, a ninth-grader and a member of Senior High’s Health Occupations Students of America chapter, is one of many students using the table.
She works with the table during the association’s meetings. She said it took a couple of weeks to master the controls.
Gehlhausen, who wants to pursue a career in radiology, demonstrated some of the anatomage table’s capabilities.
She explained how such realistic images are provided by the table.
“We thought about what we are trying to accomplish and how we are going to get there.
“Doug Van Zyl (former Fort Dodge superintendent) created our mission statement 12 years ago and we just thought, ‘Is this what’s driving us and is this what we want for kids?’ It was just the perfect time to do it.”
Porter said a small group began brainstorming ideas and narrowed it down to the final two before deciding on the new vision and mission statements.
“We collaborated with the AEA, which we thought would be a good resource. A lot of times, districts will bring in community leaders and businesses and teachers. We thought we already have people in leadership roles, so we just thought we didn’t need to have a massive group.”
Porter said the goal was to make sure the statements reflected the direction of the district without being too long and wordy. He added that he wanted something kids in school could remember easily.
“We wanted to make it something kids could remember and staff could remember,” he said. “It is really simple and easy. We wanted to instill the fact that no matter where you come from, you belong here and we want you here.” Porter and Communications Director Lydia
“They took pictures of different cadavers they had and programmed them into the computer,” she said. The table comes loaded with
Schuur said they have received positive feedback from the community about the change.
The new vision statement and mission statement were unveiled along with a new district website and the launch of a distinct smart phone app, a first for the district.
“Lydia and the communications department started looking at the website and we went to a conference in Arizona where we learned about the company that created the app,” Porter said. “Then we started looking at the mission statement and the vision statement, and thought, we can definitely fold these all into one. July 1 was the perfect time to do that. July 1 is like the start of the new year in our world.”
Porter said the cost of the new website and the ongoing costs for the rebranding in the district were supported by funds already in the district budget. The Fort Dodge Community Schools Foundation awarded a grant to the district to pay for the cost of the app development, which was a one-time cost of $6,500.
The app will include access to manuals and documents, a comprehensive staff directory, a real-time newsfeed and a hub for important information.
Porter said he was looking forward to promoting the changes in the vision statement and mis-
images of several individuals of both genders and of different ages, she said. The table will get lots of use because enrollment in the
sion statement.
“We are thrilled to introduce our new vision and mission, which truly reflect our commitment to each member of our community. Our goal is to ensure that every individual in our district knows they matter, they belong, and they can thrive. The new logo is a visual representation of these values and our ongoing dedication to excellence in education,” he said.
“We
health occupations classes is growing exponentially, according to O’Leary.
She said there were 620 students in the various health oc-
The anatomage table is the most up-todate device for teaching anatomy, health care classes and even some other kinds of sciences. It shows layer upon layer of the human body, uncovering muscles, blood vessels, internal organs and bones.
cupations classes last year, with similar numbers this year. The Health Occupations Students of America chapter has 100 active members and is the second largest extracurricular activity behind the marching band, she said.
The table was purchased from Anatomage Inc., of Santa Clara, California, for $115,635.
The Fort Dodge Community Schools Foundation contributed $60,000 in one of its largest single donations.
Other donors were UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge, Calvert & Johnson Insurance, Iowa Central Community College and Dr. Joseph Schmoker and his wife Tracy (Hurdel) Schmoker, of Missoula, Montana. Both of them are Fort Dodge Senior High School graduates.
wanted to instill the fact that no matter where you come from, you belong here and we want you here.”
— Josh Porter, Superintendent
-Messenger file photo by Bill Shea
KATELYN GEHLHAUSEN, a ninth-grader at Fort Dodge Senior High School, displays an image of a human skull with the jaw bone highlighted as she demonstrates the capabilities of the school’s new anatomage table during an open house in October 2024.
-Messenger file photo by Bill Shea
KILEY O'LEARY, center, a health occupations instructor at Fort Dodge Senior High School, explains the functions of the school's new anatomage table during an open house last fall. The table provides detailed images of human anatomy.
Time to upgrade
Donors sought for auditorium project at Humboldt High School
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
HUMBOLDT — For the past 44 years, the auditorium in the Humboldt High School has been the site of everything from school plays to concerts for the whole community.
It is estimated that about 900,000 people have been in the auditorium in that time.
The facility — formally known as the R. Wesley Carlson Auditorium — is now in need of some updates. To help pay for it, the Humboldt Community School District is turning to local residents and businesses.
In October, a fundraising drive was launched to generate $800,000 for the effort.
The work will include installation of new sound and lighting systems, new seating and other cosmetic improvements.
“I’m very excited about this auditorium project,” district Superintendent Jim Murray said in a video announcing the fundraising campaign. “It is certainly a priority to have the best sound and light system that we can provide for students.”
He acknowledged that the district receives tax dollars specifically for building and maintenance work. The district, he said, has prioritized safety and is therefore directing much of that tax money to safety and security upgrades. That is why the school system is seeking donations for the auditorium work,
he added.
“Tax dollars don’t go as far as they used to and that is why we need your help,” Murray said.
As part of the fundraising campaign, donors are invited to sponsor a seat. For a $600 donation, a marker with their name on it will be attached to one of the seats. A display in the auditorium or its lobby will feature photos of the people that the seats are sponsored by or dedicated to.
“It is
— Superintendent Jim Murray
But donations of all amounts will be accepted. The auditorium was completed in 1981. It is named after
the man who was the district’s superintendent from 1970 to 1989.
South Central Calhoun district sets benchmarks Raising the bar
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
LAKE CITY —
Schools have been issuing report cards to students for as long as anyone can remember.
But today, many of them also issue report cards on themselves.
South Central Calhoun Community School District is one of those school systems.
It released a progress report for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2023, and ended June 30, 2024. It reveals various educational benchmarks, such as high proficiency scores for students in English.
The report also indicates that the district’s Board of Education has committed to hiring a firm to conduct a facilities study this fall.
The South Central Calhoun Community School District has about 900 students in Lake City, Rockwell City and the surrounding areas.
According to the report, the district’s longrange goals are:
n All students will achieve at their maximum proficiency in reading, math and science to be college and career ready.
n All students will use technology to collaborate, communicate and create.
n All students will feel safe and connected at school and in the community.
Not surprisingly, the report contains lots and lots of data on academic achievement.
Some of the most impressive marks were in English.
The report shows that 77.92 percent of students in grade nine through 11 met proficiency standards in English.
It also shows that 100 percent of English Language Learners — those students for whom English is not their native language — in grade 9 through 11 met proficiency standards. In science, 10th graders had a 79.07 proficiency rate. The district has also set out goals for teaching and using technology.
Those goals are:
n Continue to teach digital citizenship at all grade levels.
n Enhance K-12 comprehensive computer science programs.
n Build technology into everyday lesson planning.
-Messenger file photo
THE SOUTH CENTRAL CALHOUN CLASS OF 2023 stands to be recognized during commencement ceremonies in May 2023. The South Central Calhoun Community School District has about 900 students in Lake City, Rockwell City and the surrounding areas.
-Messenger file photo
CLASS VALEDICTORIAN KEIRA HAMMEN received the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Iowa Girl Award in 2023. South Central Calhoun Athletic Director Mark Schaefer (left) presented the award, which honors graduating female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout
leadership.
‘Launching pad of the future’
MNW opens building addition in 2024
By KELLI BLOOMQUIST editor@messengernews.net
MANSON — Manson Northwest Webster School District’s mantra is “We Care. We Inspire. We Empower.” They also
The
summer of 2023 and the addition was open to students when classes began in August.
While Superintendent Justin Daggett said the addition is modest and “nothing glamorous,” he also deemed it a “launching pad” for future improvements and opportunities for students.
where the locker rooms are at,” Daggett said. “Eventually, we’d like to add onto the south side of the building to include a new wrestling room and weight room and a locker room renovation. But none of that can happen until we solve the electrical capacity problem, which prompted this project.”
“Our junior/senior high kind of needs some work all over,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about the process. It’s gone relatively smoothly.”
The building addition includes a new electrical room with electrical panels as well as dressing rooms for the auditorium stage, and extending out the band room.
“This is the first step in realizing our goal of having first-class facilities for our staff and students,” said Daggett.
He hopes that those future upgrades and additions will include adding classroom space, a new wrestling room, and upgrading the office and student commons area.
“Right now, our weight room and our wrestling room are detached, they’re about 150 feet away from the building
“It’s exciting,” Daggett said of the east addition project. “It’s a relatively small step, but at the same time it’s a big step for us as a district to spend this kind of money on improvement projects.”
The $2.65 million project was paid for using funds collected from the state sales tax for school infrastructure projects.
The addition was designed by Allers Associates Architects of Fort Dodge. Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, is the general contractor.
“The exciting part is this is the beginning of hopefully additional projects in the future to create, for our students and our community, top-notch facilities for our district,” Daggett said.
“The exciting part is this is the beginning of hopefully additional projects in the future to create, for our students and our community, top-notch facilities for our district.”
— Justin Daggett MNW superintendent
-Messenger file photo by Deanna Meyer
ABOVE: This addition to the Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School was under construction in January 2024.
-Photo by Dylan Meyer
TOP PHOTO: This photo shows the exterior of the completed addition. Teachers and students were able to use the addition beginning in the fall of 2024.
More than academics Community Christian sChool
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
For some students, sinking a couple of free throws or spiking a ball over the volleyball net is part of their experience at Community Christian School in Fort Dodge.
The school is known for offering a Christ-centered education. The fact that it offers students the chance to participate in athletics is less known.
Community Christian School offers boys and girls basketball for fourth- through eighth-graders. It also offers volleyball for fourth- through eighth-grade girls.
The school also has a pep squad of kindergartners through third-graders. And there is a cheerleading squad for fourththrough eighth-graders.
But according to Amanda Slife, the school’s athletic director, Community Christian does not have a budget for athletics. She said all the money for sports comes from an annual breakfast fundraiser and donations. This year, volunteers and student-athletes served up the 38th such pancake breakfast.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the school welcomed a new principal, Josh Culberson.
He came to Community Christian with 17 years experience as a teacher and seven years experience as a principal. He most recently worked as a principal and activities director in St. Ansgar. He is a 1994 graduate of Webster City High School. He has two associate degrees from Iowa Central Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake and a master’s degree from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
Community Christian School is fully accredited by Christian Schools International.
603 Hwy. 10 W., Laurens, IA 50554
Phone: 712-845-2634 Fax: 712-845-4506 WWW.FISHERHYDRAULICS.COM
Pocahontas Area Community Schools
712-335-4311
202 1st Ave. SW • Pocahontas, IA 50574 1-to-1 Computers State Recognized Character Counts School District
