712 Digital Group - top

Atlantic Community Schools selected as a “Breaking Barriers” District

News

October 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Community School District Superintendent Dr. Mike Amstein, Tuesday, announced the district has been selected by the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) for a “Breaking Barriers to Learning and Teaching” Award. The award is presented each year to those districts which make major progress in closing gaps in student achievement, by improving instruction, curriculum and programs for students, and professional development opportunities for school staff.

Amstein says the IDOE analyzed achievement scores from the Fall of 2010. The Atlantic School District had two instances of significant decrease in the achievement gap in the subgroups. The subgroups include English Language Learner (ELL), Individualized Education Plans (IEP), or Socio-Economic Status (SES). Districts earn the Breaking Barriers award if they saw proficiency in math or reading improve by at least 20% among two or more subgroups of students, while not allowing a decline of more than 5% in any other subgroup of students.

Amstein says the Atlantic School District received recognition for its efforts in reducing the achievement gap in the third-grade reading, SES group, and in 6th grade reading, between the SES group and the general academic peer groups. He says he applauds the administrators and teachers across the district for their efforts to narrow the achievement gap, especially as they prepare for another round of Iowa Assessment Tests later this month and in November.

The award will be presented to school board member Phil Hascall, on behalf of the district, on November 16th, at the Iowa Association of School Boards’ Annual Convention at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.  Amstein says the award is a great honor for the district, and it reinforces the boards’ focus on instruction in the classroom.

Strip-search settlement mostly covered by insurance

News

October 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A$300,000 settlement with the families of three girls who were involved in the Atlantic High School strip search incident will be mostly covered by the Atlantic Community School District’s  insurance policy. Atlantic Superintendent Mike Amstein wanted to set the record straight on how the settlement would be paid for, during the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.

search (click here to listen to audio from the meeting)

(as said – Amstein says the district’s carrier, EMC Insurance, has indicated the district is only responsible for the cost of its deductible, which is $1,500.)

Last month it was announced the Atlantic School District had agreed to pay $300,000 to the families of three students who were stripped search by a school employee in 2009. The settlement resolved a lawsuit brought by Holleigh Jo Jacobsen and her father, Matthew Jacobsen; Griffin Ferguson and her mother, Lisa Ferguson; and Paige Brianna Lank and her mother, Lee Lank. Each family of the three students will receive $100,000.

The lawsuit alleged that former Atlantic High School Assistant principal Paul Croghan ordered a strip search of five female students when another student reported they were missing $100. No money was found after the searches. Croghan resigned in 2009. The plaintiffs alleged the school violated the girls state and federal rights against unreasonable searches. On September 20th, Atlantic School officials admitted that the searches were against school policy and state law. They also said the girls did not do anything wrong.

The settlement however, did not absolve the district from its legal problems associated with the case. Last month, an open records suit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU) reached the Iowa Court of Appeals. The civil-rights organization has been trying to find out what disciplinary action if any, was imposed on school officials involved in the search. The organization had initially lost its bid to have the information disclosed in district court, but appealed the decision.

The district has denied the ACLU’s request for information on the matter, saying disclosure would violate the employees’ privacy. ACLU officials have said that because the public has a legitimate and compelling interest in what transpired at the high school, the information should be disclosed.

Atlantic Fire caused by candle

News

October 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

401 Maple Street fire

Firefighters in Atlantic were called to the scene of a residential fire this (Tuesday) afternoon. The  call about flames seen through an upstairs window at 401 Maple Street came in just before 4-p.m. Atlantic Assistant Fire Chief Tim Cappel.told KJAN News upon arrival, smoke was observed coming out the eaves of the home, which houses three apartments. Cappel says it appears an unattended candle ignited some drapes, which were next to a bed. The resident of the apartment extinguished the flames by throwing  clothes and water on top of them. The male resident suffered some minor burns to his hands and feet.

Cappel says the incident should serve as a reminder to people why it’s important to have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the home, especially at this time of year. He advised keeping your candles away from drapes and any flammable materials. It’s also important to never leave an open flame unattended.

This is Fire Safety Week. Cappel reminds you to change the batteries in your smoke detectors, and if you don’t have detectors in your home, to purchase them now.

MARDELL HANCOCK, 83, of Waverly formerly of Indianola (10-17-11)

Obituaries

October 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

Mardell Hancock, 83, of Waverly, formerly of Indianola, died Saturday, October 8, 2011, at her home in Waverly.  A graveside service for Mardell Hancock will be held on Monday, October 17, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. in the Memorial Garden Cemetery in Atlantic.

—————————————————————————————————————

A gathering with refreshments will follow, at the Farmers’ Kitchen, on Walnut St. in Atlantic.
Memorials and messages may be sent to 1717 2nd Ave NW, Waverly, IA 50677.

Mardell Hancock is survived by:

3 sons; John (Jane Sloan) Hancock of Spokane, Washington, Craig (Elizabeth) Hancock of Waverly, and Benjamin (Cindi) Hancock of Chariton, Iowa

18 grandchildren

13 great grandchildren

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11th

Trading Post

October 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: RED SOFA AND LOVESEAT, 250.00.  QUALITY FULL SIZE LOFT BED OVER DESK, 250.00.  BOTH EXCELLENT CONDITION!  243-7711.

FOR SALE: Firewood going for $75 per load…elm and walnut available.  Also is willing to cut down trees, but would not be able to do anything more than 3 feet accross.  778-4672.

FOR SALE: 2 white storm doors…they’re glass/screen and in good condition.  32″ x 80″.  243-4308.

WANTED: A 10 gallon fish tank stand. 243-7734

FOR SALE: King sized bed w/ head board and railing.  Mattress is included and in very good shape.  $150 obo.  243-4094.

FREE: Walnuts…243-1453

Backyard and Beyond 10-11-2011

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

October 11th, 2011 by admin

Lavon Speaks with Susan Oliver, Cass County Youth Coordinator, about now being the time to join 4-H.

Play

Iowa Transportation Commission approves grant for Mills County

News

October 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Transportation Commission today (Tuesday), approved a Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) Local Development grant application submitted by Mills County. Up to $876,510 will be made available to assist in construction of approximately 5,450 feet of 190th Street north from U.S. 34 to K Avenue located west of Interstate 29. The project is should be completed by September, 2013. 

Officials say the project is necessary to provide access to six lots totaling 402 acres for industrial, transportation logistics and warehousing purposes.

Funding for the grant comes from the county share of the RISE Fund.

30 Prep Grid Teams Still Undefeated

Sports

October 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

Written by:  Bud Legg, IHSAA

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, 30 high school football teams are trying to preserve undefeated seasons.

Half of the 30 teams are in Classes 1A (8) and 8-Player (7). Six teams in Class 2A remain undefeated while Classes 4A, 3A and A each have three.

The final two weeks of the season remain critical in determining the 2011 Playoff Field, which will be released with first round games on the IHSAA website the evening of Friday, October 21.

A year ago 34 teams went into Week 8 unbeaten.

Following is a list of this weekend’s contests involving undefeated teams.

Class 4-A
CEDAR FALLS (7-0) at Dubuque, Senior (1-6)
Iowa City, City High (6-1) at LINN-MAR, MARION (7-0)
VALLEY, WDM (7-0) at Waukee (5-2)

CLASS 3-A
A-D-M, ADEL (7-0) at Saydel (0-7)
Denison-Schleswig (4-3) at BOYDEN-HULL/ROCK VALLEY (7-0)
Hampton-Dumont (3-4) at CLEAR LAKE (7-0)

CLASS 2-A
Louisa-Muscatine (3-4) at REGINA, IOWA CITY (7-0)
MEDIAPOLIS (7-0) at Central Lee, Donnellson (1-6)
PCM, MONROE (7-0) at Interstate 35, Truro (4-3)
SOUTH WINNESHIEK, CALMAR (7-0) at MFL, MarMac (1-6)
Unity Christian, Orange City (5-2) at SPIRIT LAKE (7-0)
WEST MARSHALL, STATE CENTER (7-0) at Roland-Story (4-3)

CLASS 1-A
Audubon (2-5) at ST. ALBERT, COUNCIL BLUFFS (7-0)
EMMETSBURG (7-0) at Alta/Aurelia (1-7)
LAWTON-BRONSON (7-0) at West Monona, Onawa (1-6)
LOGAN-MAGNOLIA (7-0) at Griswold (4-3)
PANORAMA, PANORA (7-0) at Mount Ayr (4-3)
Pekin (4-3) at ALBURNETT (7-0)
Turkey Valley, Jackson Jct. (5-2) at WAPSIE VALLEY, FAIRBANK (7-0)
WOODWARD-GRANGER (7-0) at BCLUW, Conrad (2-5)

CLASS A
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn (4-4) at GEHLEN CATHOLIC, LEMARS (7-0)
New London (0-7) at LISBON (7-0)
POSTVILLE (7-0) at Valley Community, Elgin (1-6)

CLASS 8-Player
ARMSTRONG-RINGSTED (7-0) will receive a forfeit from Ruthven-Ayrshire
EAST MILLS (7-0) at Essex (2-5)
FREMONT-MILLS, TABOR (7-0) is idle
MELCHER-DALLAS (7-0) at Meskwaki Settlement School (4-4)
NORTHEAST HAMILTON, BLAIRSBURG (7-0) at CAL, Latimer (0-7)
River Valley, Correctionville (4-4) at NEWELL-FONDA (7-0)
WEST BEND-MALLARD (7-0) at North Sentral Kossuth (1-5)

FRANCES JARNAGIN, 72, of Panora (svcs 10-15-11)

Obituaries

October 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

FRANCES JARNAGIN, 72, of Panora, died Sun., Oct. 8th, at her home. Memorial services for FRANCES JARNAGIN will be held 11-a.m. Sat., Oct. 15th, at the Twigg Funeral Home in Panora.

Visitation at the funeral home will begin one-hour prior to the service, Saturday.

Burial of her cremains will be in the West Cemetery, in Panora.

Across Oceans Across Time 10-11-2011

Across Oceans Across Time, Podcasts

October 11th, 2011 by admin

René Rugholm Christiansen speaks about his internship at the Danish Immigrant Museum and his time spent in the United States.

Play