Announcements

Let’s give a big shoutout to our Before and After School Program (BASP) Team as we celebrate Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week! This is the perfect moment to show our gratitude and support for the dedicated individuals who enrich the lives of young people during their out-of-school hours. We truly value the significant impact they have on youth development. They play a vital role in enhancing program quality, which in turn helps to mitigate risks and fosters positive outcomes for our youth. From boosting social-emotional skills to improving school attendance and academic performance, our BASP professionals work tirelessly to make a difference. Their expertise and dedication create meaningful experiences for our youth, and we couldn’t be more grateful for our incredible BASP team! Show your appreciation by sending a thank you note! (To send the email, please use the email addresses of BASP team members in the format: firstname.lastname@ankenyschools.org)

Please join us for Preschool Parent Information Night for the 2024-2025 school year in the Terrace gym on Thursday, April 18. Please use entrance W16. The event will take place from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

During your visit, discover more about the Terrace Learning Center and our comprehensive preschool program. You’ll also receive details about our PTO and have the opportunity to take a guided tour of our facilities. We look forward to welcoming you!

Visit the Terrace Learning Center website.

Ankeny Schools is seeking input on two different surveys. The first is issued by the school district, and the second by the State of Iowa.

• District Survey: Please click this link to provide input for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school year calendars. This survey will be open through April 21, 2024.
• State of Iowa Survey: All Iowa public school districts are required to administer an annual school climate and culture survey called the Conditions for Learning Survey (Survey). Parents and guardians of students in preschool through grade 12 will have an opportunity to participate in a Parent/Guardian Conditions for Learning Survey to give added representation in school improvement efforts. The survey will be open through April 30, 2024. Responses to the online Parent/Guardian Survey are confidential, and the results are completely anonymous. Please click one of the links below to take the parent survey:

Parents of Grades Preschool-5 – English | Spanish
Parents of Grades 6-12 – English | Spanish

We’re thrilled to unveil the latest updates on our groundbreaking postsecondary-focused center – the Innovative Hub!

Facility Progress:

In collaboration with Invision Architects and Momentum Studios, we’re working on refining the facility to ensure it’s nothing short of extraordinary. From assessing existing facilities to designing a state-of-the-art new building, every step is being carefully crafted to provide an unparalleled environment for student success.

Programming Development:

What can you expect from the Innovative Hub? Our dedicated team is leaving no stone unturned in crafting innovative programming that prepares students for the dynamic challenges of the modern world. We’re shaping a student experience that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability through site visits, design-thinking processes, and input from various stakeholders.

What’s Next:

Mark your calendars for May! That’s when our team will present the initial programming recommendations to the Ankeny Board of Education. Plus, we’ll reveal whether renovation or new construction will bring our vision to life.

Preparing for Tomorrow:

At Ankeny Schools, we’re no strangers to success. Drawing from our proven track record, we’re embarking on this journey with the utmost care and dedication. Our goal? To modernize student learning and empower every learner for postsecondary triumphs like never before.

Stay tuned for more updates as we pave the way for a brighter future at the Innovative Hub!

The district celebrates our retiring educators and support staff every year in May. This year, we will celebrate our retirees at the district’s Celebration of Excellence. We want to invite you to celebrate them with us. If any of the educators, administrators, and support staff listed below had an impact on you or your family, please feel free to bring a retirement card to the district office (406 SW School St, Ankeny, IA 50023) Attn: Communications Department.

Congratulations to Addison Tullis, a student at Ankeny Centennial High School, for successfully finishing the Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC) online cybersecurity training offered by Fortinet. Tullis, along with six other students from Iowa, completed Fortinet’s Core course titled “Introduction to the Threat Landscape,” gaining a solid understanding of the evolving threat landscape and fundamental network security concepts. It’s fantastic to see Tullis and other students prioritizing cybersecurity!

Ankeny Community School District has teamed up with Care Solace, a free and confidential service available to students, staff, and their families. Care Solace connects individuals to mental health and substance use providers tailored to their needs, operating 24/7 and offering support in multiple languages. Coverage includes Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for the uninsured. To access this service, call 1-888-515-0595 or visit the self-serve website. Additionally, our school counseling staff can help connect you or your loved ones with a provider—please reach out to your child’s school for details. For immediate assistance beyond Care Solace’s scope, call the US Crisis Hotline at 988.

Ankeny Community Schools is dedicated to providing a safe environment for students. To be successful, we need a strong partnership with students, parents, and the general public to help us by identifying and reporting concerning student behaviors and other suspicious activities, which can help stop violence before it occurs. One tool in this partnership is an anonymous reporting tool called “TIPS.” TIPS empowers students, parents, teachers, and community members to report warning signs and trouble anonymously. 

How do I make a report?

Click on the Incident Reporting button (maroon butterfly icon), or report a safety concern here. Please note, TIPS is NOT an emergency reporting system. Emergencies should be reported to 911.

Is the report really anonymous?

Yes! You will remain truly anonymous if you choose, so you have nothing to fear when sharing your concerns. However, we cannot guarantee a follow-up unless we have your name and a way to contact you by either phone or email.

Once a report is submitted, what happens?

All reports are securely transmitted to and stored within the Awareity platform. Immediate notifications are sent to the appropriate personnel, and reports are only accessible to approved personnel. Once the team has reviewed your report/concerns, appropriate investigation and follow-up efforts will occur.

Do I have to use the form to make a report?

No. You are still welcome and encouraged to speak directly with a team member at 515-963-7233 (515-963-SAFE).

With TIPS, students and parents can report:

• Bullying/Cyberbullying
• Drug/Alcohol Abuse
• Threats of Self-Harm or Injury
• Suicide Risk
• Theft
• Threats of Violence/Weapons
• Vandalism
• Harassment

Teaching reading and writing together is like giving our students a dynamic duo for learning! Reading and writing are interconnected skills. When we combine them, it equips our students with the skills and abilities they need to succeed academically and beyond.

Practical Advantages

• Vocabulary Development: Reading exposes students to a wide range of vocabulary, while writing provides opportunities for them to incorporate new words into their own writing. This integration helps students expand their vocabulary more effectively than isolated instruction.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Integrating reading and writing fosters critical thinking skills. Students analyze texts, evaluate arguments, and establish their own opinions through writing, which enhances their ability to think critically and express themselves convincingly.
• Communication Skills: Both reading and writing are essential for effective communication. By practicing both skills together, students become better communicators, capable of expressing their ideas clearly and persuasively, in written and verbal form. 
• Enhanced Comprehension: When students engage in both reading and writing activities, they deepen their understanding of texts. Writing about what they read requires them to process information critically, leading to improved comprehension skills.
• Creativity and Expression: Combining reading and writing supports the development of research skills. Students learn to locate, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources, essential for academic success and lifelong learning.

Overall, teaching reading and writing together provides a holistic approach to literacy instruction that equips our students with the skills and abilities they need to be successful. These skills complement each other perfectly and make a powerful combination. Writing about what they’ve read helps our children think deeply about the text. They start making connections, analyzing characters, and forming their own opinions. Plus, putting pen to paper strengthens their ability to express themselves clearly and confidently.

Reading enriches writing, and writing enhances reading. Integrating these skills will empower students to become better communicators, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.

Supporting Reading and Writing at Home

Actively supporting reading and writing at home can help children develop strong literacy skills, a love of learning, and the confidence to succeed. Parents can offer effective conventional and unconventional opportunities for children to read and write outside of the classroom.

Conventional Methods

• Read Together and Create a Reading Environment: Have a variety of books available at home and encourage your child to explore different genres (i.e. fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and magazines).
• Set Aside Daily Reading Time and Discuss Books: Establish a routine where you and your child dedicate time each day to read independently. This helps develop a habit of reading. Engage your child in book discussions. Ask about favorite characters, plot twists, and what they think might happen next. This develops comprehension skills and critical thinking.
• Provide Writing Materials and Model Writing: Keep writing materials (i.e. notebooks, pencils, crayons, and markers) readily available. Encourage your child to write stories, journal entries, or even letters to friends and family. Demonstrate the importance of writing in everyday life by letting your child see you writing for various purposes (i.e. making a grocery list, writing an email, or jotting down reminders).
• Encourage Creativity and Celebrate Achievements: Encourage your child to write creatively by allowing them to write stories, poems, or even create their own comic strips. Offer praise, positive feedback, and celebrate your child’s progress and achievements in reading and writing. Display writing pieces prominently at home to show encouragement and support.

Unconventional Methods

• Cooking Together:  Involve your child in reading recipes, measuring ingredients, and writing shopping lists.
• Outdoor Adventures: Explore nature. This presents opportunities for reading signs, maps, and informational plaques. Have your child keep a nature journal where they write about their observations, fostering both reading and writing skills while connecting with the outdoors.
• DIY Projects: Do-it-yourself projects like gardening, building birdhouses, or crafting involves reading instructions, labels, and manuals. Involve your child in reading and interpreting these texts. This encourages them to follow instructions carefully and write about their experiences, observations, and reflections.
• Puzzle Solving: Work on puzzles such as crosswords, Sudoku, or word searches. This challenges children’s vocabulary, spelling, and problem-solving skills. Collaborate with your child, discussing strategies and definitions. Encourage them to write down words they discover or clues they solve. This reinforces both reading and writing abilities.

Using conventional or unconventional supports for reading and writing can enrich a child’s literacy experiences at home. These approaches can help make reading and writing enjoyable and it creates meaningful activities that extend beyond the school day.

This spring, the Ankeny Centennial high school drama and music departments are producing Disney’s The Little Mermaid! Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Ariel wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. This fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible and familiar songs!

Adult tickets are $15 and child/student tickets are $10; they can be purchased online here or at the door with cash/check. All seating is general admission.