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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
First Week of School Arrives
The first day of school is controlled by the Iowa State Legislature and it really means first day of student attendance. It can be argued that this year’s date makes no sense. The first day of student attendance was designated as Friday, August 23. The students were then dismissed for the weekend.
The reality is much of school year 24-25 began the day school let out for summer. School secretaries and administrators do double duty. There are all the reports that the states require and the final report cards to be issued. College transcripts are an important task early in the summer. Summer sports require scheduling and hiring officials as well as field maintenance. While doing all this, plans for the next school year are in full swing.
The district office is also doing double duty. The fiscal year ends June 30 and all the proper year-end closing must be done. Many supplies have already been ordered for the 2024-25 school year and must be distributed or stored until staff returns. July 1, the new fiscal year begin.
As the doors closed, repairs, replacements and rearranging began. The custodians and maintenance staff had plenty on their schedule. At Clark Elementary, main hallway between the office and Kindergarten room had asbestos abatement. The floor tile was replaced with vinyl planking. The loss of wax shine is easy to get used to. Carpet was also placed at all the entrances. This will help keep the rooms and hallways safer.
Excitement was everywhere as rooms were altered to contain new grade levels of students. This year at Clark every grade level will have three sections. Second grade is the exception. A new fifth grade room was added in the north section of the elementary building. It is hard to remember what the addition looked like when it was devoted to shop classes.
Nowhere above was there mention of vacation time. This necessary time was crammed in by administrators and everyone somewhat catch as catch can. Aug. 23 at 8 a.m. was on everyone’s mind. Don’t forget the number of teachers who take classes to further their understanding of students and communities or their specific areas of interest. Obviously the summer is not long enough.
Finally, the first week of school by the author’s definition. On Tuesday, Aug. 20, everyone gathered in the high school hallway for a welcome breakfast and a chance to catch up with everyone. “How did your summer go?” was the common starting question. There were many new faces. Breakfast was tasty: sausage casserole, yogurt parfaits and greetings.
New faces to welcome and get to know:
Teachers in Clark Elementary School are: Kristin Rohdy — Fifth Grade, Patrice Williams — Fourth Grade Middle/High School: Makenna Mulling — MS/HS Literacy.
Associates and Food Service Staff: Paige Steward — Associate, Chloe Hardy — Associate. Brooke Haris — Associate, Brenna Jacobs — Associate, Brooke Francis — Associate, Samantha Brauman — Associate. Katrina Gain — Associate, Chelsea Flot — Associate, Emma Kenel, Associate. Duane Blint — Transportation Asst., Rachel Nealey — Food Service, and Taylor Graf — Food Service.
After breakfast, the staff proceeded to the auditorium for the traditional welcome back greeting and a bit about the changes made over the summer. Chad Wahls, Superintendent, had a well-organized PowerPoint to keep him on task. He included a powerful video on the most important job in the world — teacher. A substantial list of accomplishments and challenges followed. At the end of the presentation, Superintendent Wahls, Scott Kracht, MS/HS Principal, and Todd Palmatier, Clark Principal, noted three questions they wanted everyone to think about during the next few days and the upcoming school year.
- Are you ready for the school year to begin?
- What are you looking forward to most this year?
- What are you most concerned about this year?
- How can we help with your concern(s)?
- How can you help the district?
The next two and a half days were filled readying rooms, grade-level and content-level meetings. Wednesday evening was “Meet the Teacher” Night. The teachers were happy to have a “kid” break. Students, families and guardians arrive with school supplies, find their room and meet their teachers. Smiles abound. The PTO has ice cream and toppings available in the cafeteria. Three important tables have been setup. First the PTO needs volunteers. The group is responsible for many activities which engage the community, parents and school district in important events. There was also an opportunity to sign up for a public library card. The Girl Scouts have an active group forming. MS/HS not to be outdone, greeted sixth grade students, helped them get their schedules, find their way around the building. This is the first time that these students will encounter steps on their way to and from classes. Lockers and steps make quite a change from elementary school.
Finally, Friday, Aug. 23, 8 a.m. arrived. Here they came — Ready or Not! Actually, everyone was prepared for this day and a great start to a new year.
