Announcements

Classes Canceled at Ankeny Schools Friday, January 15

Due to inclement weather, classes are canceled at all Ankeny schools today, Friday, January 15. All classes means both hybrid groups and remote learners have classes canceled.

• All athletics and activities are postponed.
• The Before and After-School Program will be closed.
• No drivers’ education at Ankeny school buildings.  Call Street Smarts for additional information, 515-279-1112.
• No high school SOS.
• No curbside meals will be served today.

As a reminder our school calendar includes the flexibility to allow for two school day cancellations without need for students to make the days up at the end of the year. In the event that we experience more than two days, the district will add the missed day(s) to the end of the school year.

Updated: Clarification on Governor’s Proclamation regarding Sporting Events

Although the governor’s proclamation did lift some restrictions to attend high school sporting events we are still restricted to follow social distancing guidelines and mandatory mask requirements.

Our CIML activity departments will continue to abide by social distancing guidelines established by the Governor, Polk County Health Department, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Iowa High School Athletic Association & CDC.

As result Ankeny schools will  follow these guidelines for CIML events to keep our student athletes & fans safe.

Basketball Varsity Players will be issued 4 wristbands to distribute to family. Lower level players will be issued 2 wristbands to distribute to family. We will limit visitor fans to 2 tickets per student athlete & local school districts will determine crowd limitations based on social distancing guidelines recommended by Polk County Health Department, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Iowa High School Athletic Association, & CDC. CIML member schools will continue to monitor, update, and communicate information and procedures to keep everyone as safe as possible. Cheer & Dance will continue to receive 2 wristbands at games they perform.

Swimming will restrict visiting fans will issue 2 wristbands to swimmers based on social distancing guidelines recommended by Polk County Health Department, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Iowa High School Athletic Association, & CDC. CIML member schools will continue to monitor, update, and communicate information and procedures to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Bowling will restrict visiting fans. Local school districts will determine crowd limitations based on social distancing guidelines recommended by Polk County Health Department, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Iowa High School Athletic Association, & CDC. CIML member schools will continue to monitor, update, and communicate information and procedures to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Wrestling Varsity wrestlers will be issued 4 wristbands to distribute to family. Lower level wrestlers will be issued 2 wristbands to distribute to family. We will limit visitor fans to 2 tickets per student athlete & local school districts will determine crowd limitations based on social distancing guidelines recommended by Polk County Health Department, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Iowa High School Athletic Association, & CDC. CIML member schools will continue to monitor, update, and communicate information and procedures to keep everyone as safe as possible. Cheer will continue to receive 2 wristbands at games they perform.

Tournaments We will determine crowd limitations based on social distancing guidelines recommended by Polk County Health Department, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Iowa High School Athletic Association, & CDC. CIML member schools will continue to monitor, update, and communicate information and procedures to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Apply Today to Serve on the Ankeny Schools Equity Committee

Mark Your Calendars: PreK & K Registration

Register for the Student Shark Tank Pitch Competition

Thirty-Eight Ankeny Schools Students Selected for the 2020 All State Music Festival

Thirty-eight Ankeny Schools students attained the highest honor available to high school musicians by being selected as members of the 2020 All State Band, Choir and Orchestra. 17 of these students were selected from Ankeny Centennial High School, and 21 students were selected from Ankeny High School.
1,081 students were selected to receive this honor. 268 students were selected for the Band, 211 students were selected for the Orchestra, and 601 students were selected for the Chorus. These students represent the top 1.7% of all Iowa high school musicians.

The 2020 Festival concert would have celebrated the 74th anniversary of this prestigious event. District Auditions for the 268-piece All-State Band, 211-piece All-State Orchestra, and 601-member All-State Chorus were held virtually October 22-24, 2020 at Le Mars, Hampton, Independence, Atlantic, Indianola, and Washington. While the 2020 All-State Music Festival Concert has been cancelled due to health safety concerns caused by the ongoing pandemic, that in no way diminishes the accomplishment of the young musicians designated as members of the 2020 All-State Band, Choir, and Orchestra.

We are proud of the resilience and dedication that these musicians have shown in working for and achieving this honor.

Congratulations to the honored students from Ankeny Centennial High School.

2020 All State Choir Members: Emma Donnelly, Carson Ferree, Logan Hoff, Jaiden Holt, Abby Housker, Alex Ladner, Grant Miller, Lauren Playle, and Gracie Valerio-Garsow.
Mandy Bendezu and Mason Wisecup were selected as alternates.

2020 All State Band Members: Sydney Clark and Sydney Madison.
Jordyn Jumper and Sarah Williams were selected as alternates.

2020 All State Orchestra Members: Madeline Scheve and Devon Tsia-Olson.

The Ankeny Centennial High School Band directors are Scott Hook, Janelle Hook, and Nick Rueckert. Nolan Henkle, Abby Saner, and Elliott Stern are the Choir directors.

Congratulations to the honored students from Ankeny High School.

2020 All State Choir Members: Evan Albaugh, Alex Gates, Noah Hackbart, Harrison Ingham, Addy Kiene, Lauren McCarville, Hannah Pross, Blake Schumacher, Sydney Stover, Marcus Ugolini, Adam Van Thomme, Gabe Wagner, and Halle Wulfekuhle.
Carson Doss was selected as an alternate.

2020 All State Band Members: Clara Freese, Avery Hickcox, Sam Stember, and Amanda Ritland.
Jayda Archer and Mason Bush were selected as alternates.

2020 All State Orchestra Member: Philip Na

Directors of the Ankeny High School Band Program are Joel Poppen and Jennifer Williams. Ben Walters and Adam Brown are directors of the Ankeny Choral Music program.

Mask Up for Ankeny Schools

Ankeny,

We.Need.You.

It will take our whole community pulling together to slow the spread and help keep our students in school. We’ve been hearing it for months, but now is the time to go back to mitigation basics.

1. Wear Your Mask
2. When Sick, Stay Home
3. Wash Your Hands
4. Watch Your Distance

This week, we’re launching a #MaskupforAnkeny campaign alongside the @CityofAnkeny. Partner with us by downloading an email signature and social media graphic at the link below and answer the question “What do you mask up for?” #MaskUpforAnkeny #MaskUpforAnkenySchools #SlowtheSpread

TEST: Inclement Weather Notification System

Due to the winter weather season approaching, this is an annual district-wide test of Ankeny Community Schools’ emergency parent communication service. This is only a test. With Blackboard Connect, we can deliver important information to you quickly and reliably in the event of an urgent matter.

This system uses parent/guardian and non-household emergency contact information stored in the district’s Infinite Campus system. In an emergency, the system can contact up to four phone numbers and one e-mail address per parent.

If you do not receive this message at the phone or e-mail address at which you desire to be contacted in the event of an emergency or weather dismissal, please contact the main office at your student’s school to learn about updating your information.

Thank you for your time and support of Ankeny Community Schools. This has been a test of Ankeny Schools’ emergency communication system.

Two Ankeny Schools Students Selected for the 2020 World Food Prize Global Youth Institute

Helpful info for elementary parents as students come back full-time

All of Ankeny Community School District’s PK-5th grade students returned to learn in person, full time on October 19th. In order to keep our Ankeny students, staff and families safe and healthy, we will be continuing to redefine what a “normal” school day looks like.

We realize families may need to make difficult decisions between sending students to school vs. keeping them home/parent missing work. In order to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible, we ask that you consider these things before sending your child to school.

• If your child complains of any 1 of the following symptoms, please keep them home and contact your health care provider: new cough, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 or higher, new loss of taste or smell.
• If your child complains of 2 or more of the following symptoms, please keep them home from school: fever, headache, muscle/body aches, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Due to the wide range of signs and symptoms of Covid-19, and for the safety of all, students will need to be sent home if they display these symptoms.
• If your child exhibits these symptoms at school, your child will be taken to a room that has been established for students/staff that are exhibiting Covid-19 related symptoms. This is to ensure safety from other students who would use the nurse’s office for non-Covid related reasons.
• If you are notified by health office staff that your student is ill at school, please plan to pick up your student as soon as possible. We would ask that you also have a back-up plan so that ill students can be picked up as quickly as possible if you are not available.
• We ask that you contact your Primary Health Care provider for more guidance on how to proceed with your student’s health needs prior to returning if your student is sent home. We will provide instructions per Polk County Health Department for proper home isolation and quarantine, if warranted. Students sent home ill will need to be out of school the following day (does not apply if sent home on a Friday) to be monitored. Students may return to school once the presenting symptoms have subsided for 24 hours, if they have an alternate diagnosis from a doctor, or a negative Covid test.

As said many times, this is a fluid and flexible situation that can change at any point. We will continue to work closely with the Polk County Health Department.

If you have questions, please contact your building’s nurse to discuss.

Stay safe and be well!