SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019 |
Sunday, April 28, 2019
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
| SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
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n behalf of Waterloo Schools, we want to take this opportunity to thank all the businesses, organizations, churches and families who partner with us. We continue to start new partnerships and grow existing ones. I have had the pleasure of serving Waterloo Schools for 14 DR. JANE LINDAMAN years, with the last five as superintendent. I am passionate about our students, staff, families and community. Waterloo Schools is on a mission to ensure students are prepared for college, career and citizenship. Our staff works very hard to personalize learning for each and every student. Our graduation rates have reached all time highs, with our comprehensive high schools achieving rates above 93 percent. We believe in “Global Thinking and Limitless Choices” for all the students we serve. We offer many opportunities that set us apart from other districts, and we are grateful to our community and businesses for helping this happen. We are a highly diverse district that is more like the national and global landscape than any district in the state of Iowa. Our students have opportunities to experience people, programs and cultures from everywhere around the world, making their PK-12 experience unique. We are proud to be the ONLY district in Iowa offering the International Baccalaureate program, a highly challenging, twoyear program for juniors and seniors, which extends students’ perspectives, deepens knowledge and broadens understanding of national and international studies. Through a generous gift from the McElroy Trust, our
students have amazing experiential and service learning opportunities through our Life Labs program. We have students participating in our Dual Language Immersion programs in Spanish and French. Our schools are providing authentic options for students to develop their leadership skills through the Leader In Me program, with plans for all schools to implement Leader In Me by 2021. We were incredibly proud to launch the Waterloo Career Center in Fall 2016. We now draw over 600 Waterloo Schools’ students to the center each semester, as well as students from surrounding districts. Located at the north side of Central Middle School, our Waterloo Career Center will grow from 14 to 20 career pathways by 2021 with participation expected to exceed 1,000 students per semester in the near future. Support from our partners is critical to the expansion of career and technical training, bringing both time and talent to our
pathway programs. We know that the future of the Cedar Valley and global economy depend on preparing our young people for careers that are currently unfilled or have yet to be created. Waterloo Schools is truly blessed to work with some of the best businesses and organizations in the Cedar Valley. The support we receive goes far beyond anything we could provide within our usual resources. We truly are grateful and appreciative of everything our partners do! Now in our 30th year of the Partners in Education program, we know continuing to grow a network in the community is beneficial for the entire Cedar Valley. While better preparing our young people for their own career preparation, it also helps to provide highly skilled employees for the Cedar Valley. Together we are building a more vibrant future!
Partners provide student, staff perks at Aldrich Aldrich Elementary School’s Partners in Education are Skogman Builders, Oakridge Realtors and Panther Builders. This year, Skogman Builders and Oakridge Realtors hosted
the Back-to-School Night Ice Cream Social and BINGO Candy Bar Night at the school. Oakridge Realtors provided dinner for staff during parent-teacher conferences.
Dr. Jane Lindaman is the Superintendent of Waterloo CommunitySchools.
Proud to be Partners in Education! Hoover Middle School, Waterloo Hansen Elementary School, Cedar Falls
Proud Partners in Education
Since 1999
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Lowell Partners always willing to step up and help Lowell Elementary School’s Partners in Education are Black Hawk Courthouse, Black Hawk County Engineers, Pillar of Cedar Valley, First Wesleyan Church, Grace Fellowship Church, Nestle USA, Waterloo Bucks and Hometown Foods. Also Lincoln Savings Banks in Cedar Falls, Greenwood Pharmacy, Image Pointe, Witham Auto, Waterloo Bucks, Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Cadillac Bowling Center, St. Ansgar Lutheran Church and Sayer Law Firm. “Our partners are the best. They love to be involved with our kids and truly are a great support for Lowell. If we need help with certain things our partners are always willing to step up and help,” said Adam Ahrendsen, lead teacher. Nestle has again donated a $5000 Healthy Living and Wellness to promote healthy living for students, staff and family. Most partners provide journal partners for monthly journaling with first- through fifth-grade students, and partners provide treats and special incentives for goodies to classrooms at various times during the year. They also participate in the annual Adopt-a-Family program during the holiday season. Grace Fellowship Church prepared, served and helped arrange the Annual Lowell Thanksgiving Dinner. Other partners participated in donating food for the food drive along with Lowell’s Student Lighthouse Team. Each month partners provide table decorations and a special treat and incentives during the Shining Star Luncheon to recognize students who had perfect attendance. Partners welcomed some fourth- and fifth-grade carolers to their businesses, and many provided Reading Buddies to read with students. Partners also provide opportunities for the Parent Teacher Organization to sell candy to raise money
WATERLOO COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTO
Lowell students go caroling. for the school. “I had a lot of fun going to a bunch of different places to go caroling. It has been cool to also learn about a person through writing in our pen pal journals. It’s nice that they help us out,”
said fifth-grader Jayson Duitsman. Grace Fellowship Church provided staff with a lunch and bags with desk and teaching supplies to get teachers off to a good start at the beginning of the school year. Partners also provided needed items such as coats, hats, gloves, backpacks, pencil boxes and other school supply items for use by our students. For the Read to Ride program, Nestle USA will provide two new bicycles to students who have read a certain number of minutes during each month. Names are placed into a drawing. Partners provide money and clothing items to purchase and maintain a supply of uniform items at school for those students’ families who cannot afford to purchase these items. Cadillac Bowling Center provides a thank-you event for students who participate in Lowell’s Safety Patrol. Partners participate in the Great Pumpkin Challenge
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
ORANGE
E L E M E N TA RY and
during the Fall Festival. Each year, partners decorate pumpkins that are auctioned off to help raise funds to purchase an item for the school. Black Hawk County provides fifth-grade students the opportunity to participate in a mock
trial at the Black Hawk County Courthouse, along with a tour of the county jail and Juvenile Court Service. Many of partners donated items for assistance when the school moved to a new location after a roof collapse.
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Highland Partners provide opportunities Highland Elementary School Principal Matt Willand says Partners in Education “is my favorite meeting to go to because it involves our community and understanding our partnership between the schools and the community.” Highland Partners in Education are Nazareth Lutheran Church, ReaLife Church, Omega Cabinets, John Deere Tractor Cab and Assembly Operations, Petersen & Tietz Greenhouse and Florist and Lincoln Savings Bank. Partners host monthly Student of the Month luncheons; provide a flower bouquet and $25 gift card to one teacher per month who is nominated by peers; provide dinner for staff two times a year during parent teacher conferences; provide a free noon meal for staff to celebrate making it to the half-way point of the school year; and participate in Adopt-
WATERLOO COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTOS
A teacher high-fives her students. a-Family program at Christmas. Kindergarten student Parker Allen liked attending a Student of the Month luncheon at Petersen & Tietz Florist and Greenhouse. “I got to eat pizza. It was fun. We all got to take flowers home,” he said. In addition, partners pay for all students to see a play at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts
Center, as well as participate in the Highland My Waterloo Days Parade, Earth Month activities and provide 12 free bikes to be given away during yearly assessments as incentives for students. Partners participate in a Carnation Sale fundraiser, provide and serve a Back-to-School Meal to Highland families the week that school starts and purchase books for every student. They participate in reading aloud to every classroom during the book giveaway and work at the annual Fall Festival running the activities and serving food. Hy-Vee receipts are collected and given to the school for fund raising, as well. Fourth-grade students are matched with students in the youth program at Nazareth Lutheran Church for a pen-pal program. Partners also purchase items
that aren’t in the school’s budget, which has included a new used at Fall Festival and the annual endof-year carnival, along with other events. Free tickets are provided for staff leaders attend the Global Leadership Summit, and partners
volunteered in leading activities for families at the school’s annual Hispanic Heritage Festival. Highland students made cards for veteran employees at Omega to be distributed at their annual employee veteran luncheon.
Proud to be a partner in education
Bunger students, staff grateful Bunger Middle School eighthgrader Natalie See is a student of the month recipient who appreciates the school’s Partners in Education. “I am so thankful for everything they do for us. They help us get chances to do things that we don’t normally get to do,” See said. “Our Partners in Education go out of their way to make us feel proud of ourselves and always have a welcoming demeanor. Thank you for everything you do for us.” The school’s Partners in Education are The Other Place in Evansdale, Peters Construction, First Congregational Church and the John Deere Waterloo Foundry. First Congregational Church comes to Bunger once a month to transport Students of the Month out to lunch. They have also assisted with two spaghetti dinners provided to families at functions. The Other Place hosts the monthly Student of the Month
Bunger Cultural Cafe lunch. Peters Construction pays $20 each month for the Student of the Month waiter tip. Peters and First Congregational adopted several families for the Christmas holiday. “Staff and students at Bunger are so thankful for our Partners in Education. They make it pos-
sible to celebrate kids, provide them with opportunities they may not otherwise have available to them and really assist in brightening the holiday with gifts and necessities our families need. Thank you so much for all that you do,” said Kate Nitz, school counselor.
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Hope City joins West’s PIE program Hope City is the newest Partner to join West High School’s Partners in Education. “We are very excited to welcome Hope City as our newest partner in education. We look forward to a productive
and long lasting relationship with Hope CIty and our continued partnership with both The Other Place on Ridgeway and John Deere,” said Assistant Principal Byron Phillips. “Once again, we look for-
ward to working with our partners in the years to come to enrich the educational experiences of the students and staff here at West High.” Partners in Education activities include: Participating
in the fall kick-off; judging the pumpkin decorating contest; assisting with the Student of the Month recognition; and providing snacks and supplies to support students during ISASP testing.
John Deere donated supplies for the West High Christmas Wrapping fundraiser at Crossroads Mall, and The Other Place on Ridgeway assisted with feeding the staff during parent-teacher conferences.
Hoover PIE supports numerous activities Partners in Education at Hoover Middle School are Wildwood Ranch, Hampton Inn, Waterloo Fareway, Friendship Village, Black Hawk and Bremer counties League of Women Voters, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and RE/MAX Home Group. In February, student leaders and their committee hosted a dance marathon to raise funds for charity. The event raised more than $4,400 which will be donated to the Iowa Children Stead Family Hospital. RE/ MAX supplied several gift cards for drawings. It was an exciting event that raised over $4,400 dollars that will be presented to the Iowa Children Stead Family Hospital. Partners participated in an adopt-a-family program for the holidays. Families received clothing, household products and gift cards. RE/MAX hosts a career day for several students at their location, providing students the opportunity to learn about real estate careers. The Black Hawk County League of Women Voters sponsored an essay contest in April. Each student received a certificate and award. Teachers nominate Students of the Month and Fareway supplies the luncheon. Sixth-grade students are pen pals with Friendship Village, exchanging monthly letters. A meet-and-greet takes place, and students provide a tour and
eat lunch with their pen pals. Friendship Village hosts an end-of-school-year picnic for sixth-graders. A Writer’s Workshop is sponsored in May by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Hoover partners with Lou Henry Elementary School to ask questions and share examples of their own writing. Lunch also is provided. Hoover students support, raise funds and participate in the Wildwood Ranch. Hoover students in Project Lead the Way.
WATERLOO COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTO
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Partners create positive environment at Cunningham Each month, several Dr. Walter Cunningham School for Excellence students who display STAR behavior are hosted at a Shining Star Breakfast. The pancake breakfast is enjoyed with their parents. Community Bank and Trust, one of Cunningham’s Partners in Education, provides the supplies and their employees volunteer to serve. “I really enjoyed STAR breakfast. The food was really, really good, and I had a lot of fun eating with my mom at school. I was really excited when I got to go,” said fifth-grader Troy Kuecker. The school’s other Partners are St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church, the city of Waterloo, Waterloo Public Library and KBBG Public Radio station. Principal Neldrekka Whitaker said, “We are so thankful for all the support we get from our Partners in Education at Cunningham. They help us throughout the year in supporting our goals and helping us create a positive learning environment that exemplifies pride and excellence. We are so appreciative
WATERLOO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PHOTO
Kids at Cunningham. of their support for our Cunningham students, families and staff.” Partners are active throughout the year, including donating candy and their time to make Trick or Treat Night a success, participating in the Adopt-aFamily program that provided
Christmas for more than 15 families and donating raffle prizes and volunteering at the school carnival. Employees from the Waterloo Public Library and Community Bank and Trust each partnered with a fifth-grade class to serve as journal buddies to promote writing. Each spring our students get to meet their journal buddies. Fourth- and fifth-grade students audition, and under the direction of music teacher Melody Steed, visit several partners to sing holiday songs in December. The carolers also are featured on KBBG radio. For the past 16 years, Mr. and Mrs. Capps from St. Timothy’s donate time every week to organize and count Milk Moola, box tops and H-Vee receipts. St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church displays and accepts donations for butterflies created by fifth-graders to sponsor their end-of-school-year field trip to Des Moines. Students write about themselves on the back of the butterflies.
Partners work to help Kittrell students Kittrell Elementary School’s newest Partners in Education is Crossroads Community Church. This partner put their efforts into providing food bags when children were out of school for five weather-related days. They also provided school supplies for teachers. They have also worked together with Veridian Credit Union and Invision Architecture to “make the magic happen,” according to the school Hammond Avenue Brethren Church, Crossroads CommuKITTRELL SCHOOL PHOTO nity Church and Veridian read Kittrell students with fourth-graders and brought Christmas treats for the staff. Hero Savers in the school’s StuVeridian has provided Super dent Credit Union, which en-
courages students to start saving as a habit. They also provided birthday treats and water bottles for students with birthdays each month. No Strings Attached has been supported by Unity Presbyterian Church. The strings program teaches students how to play violin, viola and bass. The program meets each Tuesday after school and presents two performances each year. In October, Kittrell Partners bring Halloween treats. A holiday store is set up in December for students to choose gifts for their “special someone.” Many Partners volunteer to help wrap packages.
“Our partners create wonderful opportunities for our students. We greatly appreciate all of the help with the butterflies and flowers for our fifthgrade field trip, as well as all of their help with making the STAR breakfast possible,” said fifth-
grade teacher Ashley Paulson. “Our partners are the best. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to work with them and see how dedicated they are to helping our students. We truly appreciate them,” said Emily Miranda, mentor coach.
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Partnerships valued at Lou Henry Elementary School
WATERLOO COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTOS
First day of school at Lou Henry Lou Henry Elementary School values their partnership with Cedar Valley Hospice, Farmers State Bank, Central Christian Church, ADI, Oakridge Realtors, Horace Mann and Den Herder Veterinarian Hospital. Partners are involved in such
activities as Student of the Month assemblies and luncheons and Pastries With Parents. A Farmers State Bank statement said, “We feel that the partnership we have with the Partners in Education brings
both a benefit to the kids, faculty, as well as bank staff members. The students see that there are people in the community that are invested in their well-being and advancement in not only education, but also leadership in the community. “Just small acts of reading books to the classrooms or shaking their hands at assemblies allows them to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment from a source different from their households and classrooms. The most rewarding part is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when partnering with them on events. Those smiles are worth more than any money in the world.” The statement continues, “Partners in Education allows our employees to network with other professionals to support
Poyner’s Partners lend a helping hand I nstructional strategist Sherri Snow says, “Whatever is needed to make Poyner Elementary the best it can be, Poyner Partners come through with a helping hand and a smile.” The school shares partnerships with Tyson Fresh Meats, Tyson Prepared Foods, Barnes and Noble Waterloo, First Security State Bank, Prince of Peace Church, Hy-Vee Crossroads, Elk Run City Hall and St. Marks Church. Activities supported by partners include Thanksgiving food baskets for families, Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays, snacks for Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), school supplies, May Day baskets for each grade level and the Barnes and Noble book fair. First Security State Bank provides and serves cookies and juice for all six evening music performances, and donated funds to support one student’s efforts to raise money for “The Last Plastic Straw.” The student will use funds to purchase silicone straws to sell at the front office. All proceeds will be donated to “The Last Plastic Straw.” Hy-Vee donated walking taco ingredients to the Parent Teacher Organization for bingo night and provided a discount for Family Night cookies. “Crossroads Hy-Vee made a big impact on our kindergarten students,” said Wendy Lee, kindergarten teacher. Students made a field trip to the store where they toured and taste-tested, and then each student left with a carnation, cookie and juice. Kin-
East High School football players welcome Poyner kids. dergartners set up their own grocery store at the end of the unit, including a free sample stand. Crossroads Hy-Vee provided trail mix ingredients for the experience, she said. Tyson Fresh Meats donated taco meat for various school activities, and Tyson Prepared Foods donated funds raised at their annual chili cooking contest. The school will use the funds to purchase incentives for the state assessment, such as basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees and art supplies. Tyson Prepared Foods also purchased brag tags for Read a Million Minutes, and St. Mark’s Church donated funds toward incentives for Read a Million Minutes.
the great work the teachers are doing at our schools. We are able to utilize the skills we have developed during our careers and use them to create programs, fun activiites, or teaching moments for our youth. It also provides us an avenue to teach a child some-
thing that you specialize in, and for us that is banking principals and managing money. “Farmers State Bank is very proud of our partnership with the Partners in Education and it is something we look to sustain for years to come.”
— Tyson Foods is proud to partner with Poyner Elementary.
®/™/©2018 Tyson Foods , Inc. 153280230
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Hansen Elementary Partners in Education show giving spirit WATERLOO COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTO
Kingsley students
Partners in Education get involved at Kingsley Kingsley Elementary School is thankful for their Partners in Education, says Rachel Nosbish, lead teacher. Westminster Presbyterian Church provides a staff meal before Christmas and gives each staff member gifts. Sidecar Coffee on Ridgeway Avenue has provided coffee for an all-school read-in on a Saturday morning, as well as coffee for a staff member’s retirement party.
Vanderloo Chiropractic, the Northeast Iowa Thoratic Surgery Center and Westminster provided healthy snacks for student assessement tests. KWWL-TV has done videos to introduce monthly Super Heroes at our assemblies. Hy-Vee has given discount for goodies at staff gatherings. There also are journals, letters and notes that go back and forth between students and Partners.
PIE support at CF Lincoln Elementary continues to grow EDAR FALLS — Partners in C Education at Lincoln Elementary School are First United Methodist Church, Oakridge Realtors, various departments for the city Of Cedar Falls Departments and First Presbyterian Church. First United Methodist Church provides volunteers in kindergarten and first- through third-grade classrooms each week and supports students during the holidays by requesting gifts for a Mitten Tree. In addition to Reading Buddies, the church raises funds to purchase a book for every student from preschool to sixth grade and provide funds for classroom libraries. “Church members are encouraged to volunteer in other ways at Lincoln throughout the year. We even help organize
worksheets and classroom materials for teachers prior to the beginning of the school year,” said Lisa Congdon of First United Methodist Church Oakridge Realtors supports the Parents and Lincoln School (PALS) group during their annual Wacky Winterfest fundraiser. The city of Cedar Falls police and fire departments visit kindergarten and first-grade classes. The Cedar Falls Public Library supports second-grade classes, while third-grade students visit the Hearst Center. The Reclamation Department supports fourth-grade students. A new partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Falls provides support for the Bike Rodeo, Farm To School and Wacky Winterfest.
CEDAR FALLS – First-grade teacher Leah Franklin says Helen Hansen Elementary School is impressed by the giving of their Partners in Education. “The generosity from each partner is greatly appreciated and does not go unnoticed,” she said. Sartori Hospital has been a Partner in Education since 1990, while First National Bank and 93.5 The Mix has partnered with the school since 2000. In 2007, Martin Bros. joined the program, and John Deery Motors joined in 2018. Each partner sponsors a Hansen family in need and provides gifts, food and baskets of goodies. First National Bank donates practice checks to students in sixth grade. Students learn
about decimals and money in a fun, interactive way by utilizing the checks. The first-graders carol through the halls of Sartori hospital during the holidays. In addition, the fifth- and sixthgrade choir and band/orchestra students perform for staff. This audience gives students added incentive to learn and practice songs in music class, choir and band/0rchestra. “It was heart-warming seeing the smiles from the patients and the students. We are very thankful for the difference our partners make in the lives of our students,” Franklin said. All grade levels create tray favors for the hospital, and with the help of the art teachers, students decorate a tree for the annual Sartori’s Festival of Trees. In conjunction with the
counselor’s unit on careers, Sartori Hospital hosts a career fair for sixth-graders. The students visit various departments and talk with staff about their positions. Partners present awards during the last day of school assembly. First National Bank gives a citizenship award, while 93.5 The Mix presents a communication award. Martin Bros has donated a gift certificate to a parent or parents who have made a deserving contribution to Hansen School. Last year was the first STEM award given by Sartori Hospital. “It takes a village to raise a child for sure, and at Hansen we are thankful for our community partners in education who help us help students and families,” added Jen Alexander, Hansen counselor.
Holmes, Partners make difference CEDAR FALLS – Holmes Junior High School’s Partner in Education, Cedar Falls Community Credit Union, assists with numerous activities during the school year. Those include the Veterans Day Assembly, Adopt-a-Family and the Make-A-Wish benefit. This year, almost 50 veterans from throughout the
community attended the annual student-led Veterans Day Assembly. Veterans were served breakfast by the Student Council, and enjoyed a program featuring student speakers and school music ensembles. Through generous donations from Partners in Education, students and staff, the school
raised more than $2,000 to support Holmes families during the holidays. Every year the Cedar Falls Community Credit Union organizes a fundraiser that benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Students from the Student Council and music groups assist and perform during the event.
Southdale appreciates their Partners in Education CEDAR FALLS – At Southdale Elementary School, their Partners in Education are Texas Roadhouse, Hy-Vee College Square and Urban Pie. “We appreciate all the help and support Southdale receives from our Partners in Education,” said Principal Ja-
son Strub. Texas Roadhouse provided a back-to-school meal and a conference night meal for staff. The restaurant also provided coupons for student to give students as rewards. Urban Pie also provided a meal for staff on conference night and coupons
for rewarding students. All students walk to Hy-Vee College Square during Healthy Living Iowa Week, and each student receives a bottle of water and an apple. The grocery store also has provided discounted food and supplies when needed.
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Waterloo Career Center continues expansion JEFF FROST
Executive Director of Professional Technical Education
Housed in Central Middle School, the Waterloo Career Center is alive with hands-on, real-world training for high school students. After several years of study, a task force of students, parents, staff and community/business members recommended the Waterloo Schools expand our career and technical education offerings so students can explore career interest areas while in high school. These courses are proven to greatly engage students in content, while allowing them to work toward an area of certification and better prepare them for life after high school. The committee studied many different programs nationwide but quickly focused on technical education as being right for our students. It effectively engages high school students along with increasing graduation rates and the percentage of students who attend post-secondary schools. It also keeps students in school and reduces dropouts. With such a broad base of business and industry in the Cedar Valley, technical education will build a strong partnership between schools and businesses. From this, grew the Waterloo WATERLOO COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTO Career Center. Opened at the A teacher and student construct a house model at the Waterloo Career beginning of the 2016-17 school year, the center housed two Center. programs initially, nursing and digital graphics. For the 2017-18 school year, three new programs were added: advanced manufacturing, early childhood education and information technologynetworking. This year we added four new programs: information technology-web and mobile, interactive digital media, marketing and sustainable construction. Next year we add five new programs, including culinary, electrical, finance, hospitality and plumbing. We are looking to add up to six more programs by the COURIER FILE PHOTO 2020-21 school year, for a total Wayne Lidtke, sustainable construction instructor, speaks to a group as of 20 programs. Currently, the Waterloo Career they tour the Waterloo Career Center.
Center is undergoing an extensive renovation at a cost of approximately $17.5 million funded with one-percent sales tax proceeds. Renovation began in January 2018 and is scheduled for completion June 30. This 80,000-square-foot
renovation will transform the center into a modern, 21st century learning environment with a collegiate and workplace feel. The goal is to provide the best education for our students and Please see CAREER, Page 10
March 15 – September 1, 2019 Th Through rough a art rt a and nd a artifacts, rtifacts, a as sw well ell as engaging interactive projects and experiences, visitors will step into children’s book artist Ed Emberley’s incredible world of imagination and wonder. www.waterloocenterforthearts.org
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Partners provide support for Becker activities Students at Becker Elementary School share their Partners in Education program with George Wyth State Park, Monster Cookies and More, Allstate Insurance, the University of Northern
Iowa, Black Hawk Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society, Department of Correctional Services and Rose Hill Miracle Church. George Wyth facilitated a sum-
mer camp for students, while Monster Cookies and More baked cookies for families and staff throughout the year at family events. Allstate launched and facilitated a Kindness Revolution
Career
in both numbers and percentage of class capacity; retention from years 1 to 2 and years 2 to 3; attendance rates for Career Center students at their respective high schools; number of industry certificates earned; and number of concurrent college credit hours earned by Career Center students. Another key component has been the number of businesses that are collaborative sponsors, or have expressed interest becoming a partner. These partnerships give students multiple opportunities to explore specific career fields available within their program. Partners allow students to tour their businesses and do internships and provide critical curriculum insight and
repurposed equipment for use at the Career Center. They provide guest speakers and mentors to give students first-hand knowledge about that specific career. Our teachers also are doing externships at these businesses, allowing them to stay updated on current “best practices” in the industry. Business partners are: John Deere, Unity Point, Geater Manufacturing, GMT, McKenna Imaging, University of Northern Iowa, Care Initiatives, VGM Forbin, Omega Cabinets, Advanced Heat Treat and Cedar Valley Home Builders Association. Anyone interested in a tour of the Waterloo Career Center can contact Waterloo Community Schools.
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ensure each student is equipped with the skills necessary to be a productive citizen and have a promising, fulfilling future. Knowing that career and technical education provides a chance for students to learn content through real-world career applications, the mission is to: 1. Explore a career area of interest including but not limited to: health fields, manufacturing, informational technology, education, construction, or STEM; including all 16 identified career pathways and 79 career clusters. 2. Increase the high school graduation rate of students in the Waterloo Career Center above the national average of 81 percent to the 93 percent for students that attend technical high schools, while increasing overall attendance rates. 3. Assure that 75 percent of students graduating from a pathway within the center go onto a post-secondary institution or career field tied to the pathway. 4. Increase overall student engagement. Many students are passively engaged and do not see the relevance of what they are learning, while others are disengaged to the point of dropping out. This program provides a proven instructional alternative. 5. Improve the way we educate all students. When students underperform, drift aimlessly in college, disengage in school or even drop out, the cost to parents, community and society is great. Indicators we will be looking at include: graduation rate increases; district drop-out rate decreases; enrollment increase
for students and staff, and each month recognizes staff members who demonstrate acts of kindness. The staff then recognize students for their kindnesses. Various partners volunteered
through donations or time at Becker events. Black Hawk Relay for Life helped the school honor cancer survivors and provides resources for those undergoing treatment.
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Advanced programs offered in Waterloo school district SHERICE ORTMAN
District Advanced Programs & International Baccalaureate Coordinator
he Waterloo Community School T District is proud to offer a variety of advanced opportunities for all students in kindergarten through senior year. The vast selection of services includes the Expanded Learning Program, Talent Development, WCSD Pre-IB, Concurrent, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate singletons, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program SHERICE and PSEO options. ORTMAN In addition, the Waterloo Schools provide Twice Exceptional programming for our gifted students with a disability, and supports the first year work of the bi-literacy seal which offers a bonus for graduates who speak, read and write in
one or more languages.
Expanded Learning Program (ELP) ELP provides a range of services. Each building in the Waterloo Schools has an ELP resource teacher who supports differentiation to increase rigor in the regular classroom setting, talent development opportunities for students who excel in a particular strength area that requires additional support, and targeted ELP outcomes with students identified as Gifted and Talented by the state of Iowa.
Secondary Advanced Programs Secondary Advanced Programs Advanced options that align with high school and ACT outcomes are offered at the middle schools, in addition
to transferable high school credit in eighth grade. The high schools offer WCSD Pre-IB ninth and tenth grade classes which are open to all students who are motivated to take a rigorous pathway course that supports ACT, AP and IB outcomes. Students this year were able to select from 56 college options at four different Waterloo school campuses. College options include IB, AP, Concurrent (community college), and PSEO (University of Northern Iowa) offerings. Next year, students will have 76 college options that support a variety of entry points for post-secondary and four-year university pathways.
as gifted with a disability as early as kindergarten and work with the ELP resource teacher and expert in the area of need to offer strength based options for our learners identified as twice exceptional.
Bi-literacy Seal
The state of Iowa recognizes the value in language as an asset, along with the importance of language diversity and cultural identity. The Waterloo Community School District supports the state outcomes by preparing our students for 21st century skills that support the labor market and the global society. The 2019 IB Diploma students will be the first to receive the bi-literacy seal on their diploma. Next Twice Exceptional (2e) year, the bi-literacy seal will be rolled Programming out to all applicants who measure an The Waterloo Schools is the first in above level of competence in speaking, the state to support district-wide 2e reading and writing in more than one programming. Students are identified language.
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