Ankeny Schools Snapshot
A monthly district newsletter
September 2022
Advancing the Vision
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can”—Arthur Ashe.
Last week, a committee made up of Ankeny parents, district staff, and community members began working on the Facility Master Plan. Was it a typical meet-n-greet? Yes and no.
Start where you are.
Each table spent time getting to know how committee members are connected and vested in Ankeny School’s facility planning. The district’s demographer, RSP& Associates, facilitated a conversation about how the human brain approaches learning new concepts and the challenge of being open to innovative thinking.
Use what you have.
The district’s Chief Financial Officer, Jennifer Jamison, provided a brief but detailed presentation on school finances related to facilities. Jennifer outlined the district’s primary sources of revenue for new construction, renovations, and repairs, including, General Obligation Bonds, the statewide sales tax (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education/SAVE), and the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL). She also outlined existing funding commitments for these funds. These funding streams make up the money the district utilizes to pay for new and existing buildings and will inform the work of the facility master plan process.
Do what you can.
Using the information provided by Jennifer Jamison, the committee completed their first small group assignments by creating first-draft financial belief statements. The committee’s financial belief statements will describe how the group intends to approach district finances as we plan for future facilities, boundary changes, and renovations.
The next committee meeting is on September 27, 2022. The topic will be rigorous and relevant academic programming and creating a curriculum belief statement related to facility planning.
Visit the Facility Master Plan webpage for committee updates, the Facility Master Plan FAQ and to submit questions you have along the way.
Thank you,
Dr. Erick D. Pruitt
Superintendent of Schools
Math Curriculum
Teachers help students understand the problems, ask questions to push their thinking and guide discussions to ensure that the mathematical takeaways are clear. The goals of the lessons are for students to master the conceptual why understanding of math before they engage in the procedural how understanding. The Illustrative Math methods spark discussion, perseverance and enjoyment of mathematics.
Each lesson begins with a warm-up routine that is an invitation to the mathematics lesson. The routines are used throughout the curriculum, and students become familiar with the structure of the routines. In addition, students gain experience communicating their ideas verbally and in writing, developing skills that will serve them well throughout life.
Click here to access helpful math materials, including questions to ask or problems to work on with your child.
Throughout the school year, we will continue exploring the math curriculum students use in ACSD. For more information on math curriculum, plan to attend the Parent Advisory Council meeting on September 29 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Northview Middle School.
National Merit® Scholarship Semi-Finalists
Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) have announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 68th Annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. Among the honored students are Ankeny Centennial High School seniors Charlotte Brink, Adeline Brooks, Brady Carr, Rebecca Gabrielsson, Jenna McClain, Kyle Melcher, Caden Miller and Rondi Quass and Ankeny High School seniors Sydney Madetzke, Aiden Orth, Hannah Pross, Lauren Rolling and Livia Routson.
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit® Scholarships of more than $28 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the final level of the competition. About 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit® Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the Annual National Merit® Scholarship Program.
Construction Tim Updates: Elementary 12
- Masonry wall work for the kitchen and gym areas is ongoing
- Structural steel for the kitchen and gym areas has arrived
- Classroom footings continue to be installed
- Underground plumbing and electrical installation continues
- Site utilities are almost completed
- Parking lot excavating begins soon
Nutrition Services News
Unfortunately, because a USDA pandemic-era policy has ended, meals are no longer free for all students this school year. Families who believe their children may qualify for free or reduced-priced meals must complete a new meal eligibility application each school year. Eligibility applications may be printed or completed online from the following links:
Students that are eligible and approved for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive them. The reduced meal cost is 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.
Nutrition Fund Donation Opportunity
Are you interested in helping fill lunch funds for Ankeny students in need? Consider donating through TouchBase! Simply select Nutrition Fund Donation, choose an amount to donate and the money will go to the Fuel Up Every Learner (FUEL) program for students in need.
One Million Minutes
With the recent launch of Ankeny’s one-stop volunteer program, Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS), it’s become even more evident just how critical volunteers are to our school community. Whether it’s reading to a child, helping at a classroom party, supporting teachers and staff behind the scenes, providing conference night meals for teachers, or chaperoning a middle school dance—the opportunities to get involved in Ankeny Schools are endless!
In conjunction with this renewed focus on volunteering, we’re excited to announce the Million Minutes of Service campaign for this school year. Through a tracking widget, all volunteers can log their hours to help us reach our goal of one million collective hours of service for our school community. Whether it’s for your PTO, the Booster Club, a one-time volunteer effort, a student working to earn silver cord hours, or a staff member volunteering for a committee every hour counts and every hour will help us shape this district’s future. Click here to get started!
Online Library
Did you know...
The school library online catalog has been accessible on each school’s library webpage for well over a decade. Students learn each year how to access the library in-house and online materials through both direct and indirect instruction from the teacher librarians and staff. Students and parents are able to access the school library catalog on each school website by selecting the student’s school, hovering over the Library Media Center located in the top menu bar, and selecting the library catalog. Specific individual account information may be accessed by selecting LOGIN and then the blue SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE option, then providing the student’s Ankeny Google credentials. If a patron (staff or student) is already signed into Google Chrome, selecting this option will automatically sign the user into the personal online catalog account.
School Bus Safety
First View App
In continued partnership with our transportation provider, First Student, Ankeny Community School District is launching FirstView, a bus tracking and parent communication app for your smartphone or desktop.
The FirstView app offers live tracking, customizable bus proximity notifications, custom alerts and messages, multi-stop views, secure and easy access and a dedicated customer support team. Check out the app today!
Spooktacular Bus Event
First Student would like to invite families that have children in Pre-K through third grade to attend our very first Spooktacular Bus Event! We will have buses decorated for Halloween and the yard filled with games, treats, drinks and prizes to win. Your children are encouraged to dress up in their most spooktacular outfits for the event. Please bring a bucket for candy.
When: October 15, 1-3 p.m.
Where: 2017 Southeast Oak Dr, Ankeny
Questions? Contact Christine Tumea (515) 229-5665 or Christine.tumea@firstgroup.com
Annual Notices
Annual Notices
Please view the 2022-2023 annual notices:
Ankeny Community School District
It is the policy of the Ankeny Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Ken Morris, Jr., Equity Director at 306 SW School Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, 515/965-9600 or kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org. The grievance will then be directed to the appropriate administrator charged with managing the program or department specified in the grievance.
Website: www.ankenyschools.org
Location: 306 SW School St, Ankeny, IA, USA
Phone: 515-965-9600
Facebook: Facebook.com/AnkenySchools
Twitter: @AnkenySchools