Elementary School Principals Offer Report To School Board
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education heard reports from the school district’s principals during its monthly meeting held last week. Each of the school principals explained to the school board how teachers are working with students and getting them ready for state testing exams to rate their proficiency in science, math, and reading. Those tests will be conducted later in the spring. Le Mars Community School District has set a goal of having at least 80 percent of the students rate as being efficient in all three curriculum of study. Scott Parry, the principal at Kluckhohn Elementary spoke first.
Neil Utesch serves as the principal for both Franklin and Clark Elementary schools. He was next to step to the podium and offered some specifics as to how the teachers are using technology to better assist the students.
Utesch was asked by school board member Jane Arnold if he thought the 800 parents was a good representation, or if more parents needed to log on to the program, and follow their children’s progress?
Parry says the CCC that was referenced by Utesch stands for Center for Collaborative Classroom which is an instructional reading program. Parry says all of the elementary teachers have been given some personal development instruction time in order to learn all the aspects of the “See-Saw” educational instruction program.
Earlier this school year, during a previous school board meeting, K-5 Technology Educational Coach, Eric Petersen, had demonstrated the “See-Saw” educational program to the members of the school board. During future news updates, we will focus on both the Middle School and the High School and hear from those principals as they give reports to the board of education.
Iowa Lawmakers Told They May Have Been Exposed To COVID-19
(Des Moines, IA) — The information came in a Friday email – Iowa lawmakers were told they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Someone associated with the Iowa House of Representatives tested positive Friday after being in the building the previous Wednesday. Republicans, who control both the Iowa House and Senate, have decided not to require legislators, their staff, or visitors to wear masks. A spokesperson for the Iowa House Republicans says the name and position of the person who tested positive can’t be shared to protect their privacy. The Chief Clerk is working to “notify anyone they may have come in contact with.”
Man Who Wounded 15-Year-Old Girl During Trump Rally Charged With Attempted Murder
(Iowa City, IA) — Attempted murder charges have been filed against a white military veteran who shot and wounded a 15-year-old Black girl during a Trump rally last month. Twenty-five-year-old Michael McKinney of St. Charles has said he fired in self-defense. Authorities have suggested the shooting was traffic-related. The teenager’s mother says a crowd of Trump supporters subjected her daughter and other girls in the car to racist language. The tense confrontation happened during a rally in Des Moines December 6th. The girl suffered a leg wound and was treated at a hospital. She is expected to recover.
Two People Die Of Smoke Inhalation After Bettendorf House Fire
(Bettendorf, IA) — Authorities in Bettendorf say a 66-year-old man and a five-year-old girl have died of smoke inhalation after a house fire last week. The victims have been identified as Robert Wickham and Taylor Treanton. A 63-year-old woman, Mary Wickham, is in critical condition. Eighteen-year-old Jodd Wickham managed to escape the fire with only minor injuries. The Bettendorf Fire Department was alerted just after 5:30 a-m Thursday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Two Hospitalized After Shooting In Clinton County
(Charlotte, IA) — A Clinton County deputy is one of two people hospitalized after a Friday shooting. Authorities say 29-year-old Jesse Doran is charged with two felonies in the incident in Charlotte. He’s being held without bond in the Clinton County Jail. The deputy was wounded at about 11:00 a-m as he approached a building. A woman who was inside also had to be taken to a hospital. After the gunfire, additional officers were called to the scene and they managed to take Doran into custody. He is charged with violating a no-contact order, burglary, and control of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon. The condition of the deputy and woman haven’t been updated.
