To: Wildcat Families

From: Wildcat Administration

Date: January 3, 2022

Re: School Radon Testing

Student learning and the safety of students, staff and community are priorities for Riceville CSD. The administration of the Riceville CSD is providing you with this notification that initial radon screening will be conducted during the week of January 9-13, 2023. The testing is not harmful in any way, and there is no need for students, parents and teachers to do anything special in preparation.

Radon testing is required at least once every 5 years for all Iowa public school attendance centers, licensed preschools and licensed child care centers. Radon is naturally occurring everywhere, but, if elevated, can cause an increased risk of lung cancer over the course of a person’s lifetime. Our district has received training and has proactively placed all of our buildings on a rotating radon test schedule.

To test for radon in the air, kits that look like small envelopes will be used in our learning spaces. It is important these kits are not disturbed, and that exterior windows and doors are kept closed except for normal entry and exit. The envelopes will be left in place for 5 school days.

Final radon testing results will be communicated by the Riceville CSD Radon Team to the Riceville Board of Education, staff and the public on our website. In the event that elevated levels during occupied hours are found, steps will be taken to correct the issue using methods suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

For most students and staff, research suggests that school and workplaces are actually the second largest contributors to radon exposure. The home is likely to be the most significant source of radon exposure. Therefore, parents and staff are encouraged to also test their homes for radon and to take action to reduce elevated concentrations.

If you have further questions regarding radon testing in Riceville CSD, please feel free to contact Superintendent Schwamman at barb.schwamman@riceville.k12.ia.us

Hello everyone!

My name is Abby Boyd, and I am the new Behavior Interventionist taking over for Mrs. Sobolik. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself, and I am excited to get to meet all of you. I grew up in New Hampton, and I returned to my hometown after graduating from Wartburg College where I received my social work degree. I am an avid sports fan, and I was a member of the Warburg Track and Field Team. After Wartburg I attended UNI to get my Masters in social work. Most recently, I have been a Behavior Intervention Specialist with Counseling & Family Centered Services.

I live in New Hampton with my fiancé and our two German Shorthair Pointers, Quinn & Bailey. I look forward to meeting you and am SO excited to be a Wildcat!

Abby

Shout out to our celebrity judges including Kelsey Byrnes, Dance Around the Kitchen Food Blogger, Bradley Ringhofer, new owner of Stans Drive-In and current operator of Cedar Valley Ex-Press Food Truck and Nancy Eastman, Riceville Food Service Director.

Congratulations to Marcia Grimm, 1st Place Best Chili Ever, Brooke Watson, 2nd Place Philly Chili and Bria Crooks placed 3rd Place with her Chicken Chili.