Dr. Buck’s Bulletin – February 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
In my last newsletter, I wished for a February with mild weather — and for the most part, it delivered! I hope you’ve enjoyed the spring-like temperatures and sunshine this month as much as I have.
Speaking of spring, here are some upcoming dates to note:
- Spring break is March 11-15. (Reminder: We will communicate our decision about snow make-up days before the return from break.)
- Waukee High School will present its spring musical, Spamalot, on April 11-14, and Northwest High School will present Mean Girls on April 19-21.
- The APEX and CTE Spring Showcase is May 9 at the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center.
- Graduation for both high schools is May 19 at Wells Fargo Arena. More details to come.
As we head into the final three months of the school year, I want to thank you for your engagement and support of Waukee CSD. I hope you all have a safe and fun spring break, and a wonderful month ahead!
Sincerely,
Dr. Brad Buck
Superintendent
Important Information
Update on ParentSquare notifications
We heard reports that some parents did not receive a notification for the emergency early out dismissal on Feb. 15. The Communications Department explored the issue and connected with ParentSquare Support. In the interest of full transparency, here are their findings:
- While the alert was set to deploy via email, text, and voice message, parents with the “digest” notification setting turned on (which arranges for communications to be delivered later) may not have received the message in real time. We will ensure future alerts are set to override those settings. You may also modify your “digest” notification setting in ParentSquare.
- Several parents also had their notifications turned off. You can check your notification status and turn on notifications in ParentSquare, or contact your building secretary for help.
- There are also “unreachable” users in ParentSquare, which are parents without contact information. If you know of any parent who isn’t receiving our communications, encourage them to contact their building secretary.
As a reminder, in the event of a school closure, we communicate via ParentSquare, social media, and the Waukee CSD website. While we acknowledge the situation on Feb. 15 was not perfect, it brought previously unknown issues to the surface that we can now remedy. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Information about district macBooks
Last month, the Waukee CSD School Board approved our proposal to transition all 6-12 students from MacBooks to iPads next school year. While more information about the transition is yet to come, we wanted to communicate that the MacBooks will not be available for purchase at the end of this school year. This decision is due to a number of reasons, including out-of-date operating systems and old batteries. We plan to sell the MacBooks together, following standard practice for school districts going through device replacement.
Recent News
Seeing Double (and triple!) at timberline
The current ninth grade class at Timberline has 13 sets of twins and one set of triplets! The “multiples” pictured above represent 7% of their class. This is becoming a trend at Timberline — the ninth grade class two years ago had 10 sets of twins. In case you missed it, this unique story was covered by the Des Moines Register and Local 5 News.
Waukee CSD staff Receive accolades
We’re lucky to have such dedicated staff across the District who are the among the top in their field! Congratulations to these staff members for their recent accomplishments:
- Dave Dirkx, head coach of the Waukee High School baseball team, was inducted into the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.
- Judi Roland, the associate principal at Waukee High School, was named the 2024 Iowa Fine Arts Administrator of the Year.
- Jacqueline Pleggenkuhle, a teacher at Waukee High School, received the Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Award by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Northwest High School receives nSDA Charter Status
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) announced that Waukee Northwest High School earned charter status, the highest honor for high schools in the organization. The award is given to schools who have demonstrated a strong commitment to speech and debate activities. Northwest will receive a plaque and be featured in the NSDA magazine and social media.
Video: WHS graduate prepares for 2024 paralympics
Evan Correll, a 2021 Waukee High School graduate, is one of the most decorated Iowa high school track athletes of all time, a top finisher in some of the nation’s most prominent marathons, and a gold medalist in the 2023 Parapan American Games. Now he has his eyes set on the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Watch this video about Evan’s remarkable journey.
Igniting Innovation
Planting a legacy
The Fifth Grade Student Council at Walnut Hills Elementary came up with an innovative — and eco-conscious — idea to leave their mark. Their proposal? Planting a “legacy tree” on the school grounds for every graduating class. This thoughtful tradition will encourage students to return and take a picture by their tree for years to come. Earlier this month, the students, along with Principal Doug Barry, presented their idea to the Waukee CSD School Board.
Safety & Security
See something, say something
To help ensure the safety and security of our students and staff, we encourage you to speak up when a situation feels wrong. Securly Tipline is a 24-hour tipline that provides anonymous communication for students, families, staff, and community members. Here’s how to submit a tip:
- Phone: 1-833-300-STOP
- Email: tipline@securly.com
- Website form: https://securly.com/tip
You can also download the Securly Tipline app for free on the App Store or Google Play. After a tip is submitted, a thorough risk assessment is performed. When an alert is determined to be urgent, it follows an escalation process to notify the school.
Learn more about Waukee CSD safety and security.
Spotlight: Human Resources
The Waukee CSD Human Resources Department supports more than 2,000 dedicated staff members. The department manages recruitment and retention in all employee categories, including teachers, administrators, and support staff. Additionally, Human Resources oversees substitute teachers, teacher practicums, and harassment/bullying.
Waukee CSD is always looking for talented people to join our team and make a difference! We’re currently hiring teachers, coaches, associates, and more. If you or someone you know is looking for a rewarding job in a district that offers great benefits, prioritizes the students, and believes in finding joy every day — apply now!
