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OFFICIAL
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NORWALK COMMUNITY
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VoL 46 No. 11 Norwalk, Iowa 50211 USPS No. 395-120 Phone 981-0406 emaih news@norwalknewspaper.com Thursday, July 31. 2014
.... notes from
Dr. Denny Wulf
Superintendent of Norwalk Schools
Welcome Back!
We are ready to embark on the 2014-15 school year.
Last year was a great year. Academically, Iowa and
Norwalk have three over-riding goals; 3rd grade read-
ing readiness, workplace readiness and college readiness.
Here is an update on our progress toward those three
goals:
3rd Grade Readiness:
• This year 90% of all elementary students at each grade
level were at or above Benchmark on DIBELs next com-
posite scores. We have never accomplished that before.
• On Iowa Statewide Tests, the average cohort of stu-
dents grew an average 7.6% at each grade level. Some
of the greatest results in elementary achievement growth
in Norwalk history!
Career and Work Readiness:
*Warren County DMACC Career Academy at
Southridge Mall is a great success. Warren County Schools
filled the program. Parents, please consider this option for
your child if they plan to directly enter the world of work
or are considering trade school after high school. This is a
great preparation for good, well pd jobs.
• Our on-campus career programs in Norwalk are
some of the best available at local school level. Our ca-
reer education teachers are some of the best in Iowa.
College Readiness:
• once again, we are in the top 50 for advanced place-
ment (AP) coursework across Iowa. We are one of only
17 schools that havebeen on that "Belin-Blank AP Col-
lege Readiness List" Since its inception in 2005.
• Norwalk's "graduation requirement" bar was raised
last year, Graduation honors are now based on the col-
lege entrance requirements from Iowa's regents univer-
sities. Graduates also create electronic portfolios and exit
interviews with staff. That system is unique in Iowa High
Schools.
.That innovative work was capped with the an-
nouncement that US) NEWs and World Report named
Norwalk one of the top 20 "College Ready High
Schools" in Iowa. That hard work represents the dedi-
cation and visi0n'of everyone in our community.
Other honors which deserve our attention:
• Our directors group and their classified staffs were
acknowledged witl ! the award the year. The Iowa City/
County Management Association "Program of the Year
for City-School Collaboration." Our shared Bus/City
Maintenance facility, shared technology services and
leadership, shared building/grounds leadership is a
model in efficiency and savings. The dollars we save
are then redirected to teaching and learning.
• Our professional teaching staff was selected for the
Teacher Leadership and Compensation Grant from the
state of Iowa. Over the next three years, all Iowa schools
will participate. Norwalk teachers were chosen to as-
sist in leading the selection, implementation and moni-
toring of Norwalk's curriculum process and academic
initiatives; Some will be teach',g half days and others
will work additional hours outside the school day. We
anxiously await the infusion of practicing teachers into
the leadership and decision making process in Iowa.
Norwalk is one of the early innovators of this statewide
honor.
What next?
Despite rolling off the most successful decade in
Norwalk academic histor) much work remains. Long
Concluded p. 9
Norwalk Cast Receives Award
Awards received by the NHS "WAND" cast, left to right: Sebastian Capp, Alli
Heckart and Zach Cook Photo submitted.
The cast of Norwalk High School's "WA-ND" was selected in June to receive awards
presented at the Des Moines Civic Center by th4 Des Moines Performing Arts Group.
Representing the NHS cast was Sebastian Capp (Macardi O'Reilly-Goldstein), Alli
Heckart (Angel Devine)and Zach Cook (Alex Taylor).
During the three-day event, three of the "WAND" cast members worked for many
hours with professionals from the east coast. Their choreographer was Ryan Kasprzak,
whose most current venture was working as the Asst. Choreographer for NBC's hit
Smash. Julie McBride, their music director, worked recently with the casts of Ameri-
can Idiot, Matilda and The Lion King.
Awards received by the cast and crew were: Special Recognition for use of Magic
Illusions, Special Recognition for commitment in Producing a New Musical and Pro-
duction Award for Community Engagement.
Individual Awards were presented to: Sebastian Capp (Macardi) for Outstanding
Lead Role, Sebastian Capp performing a seg/nent of "My Father's Hand" and Sup-
portingRole of Angel Devine - Alli Heckart.
Arbor Day Foundation Free Trees
- Receive 10 Free Colorado Blue Spruce Trees By
Joining the Arbor Day Foundation in August
Everyone who joins the nonprofit Arbo Day Fom-
dation wikh a $10 donation will receive 10 free Colo-
rado blue spruce trees through the Foundation's Trees
for America campaign.
The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time
for planting in each member's area, which falls between
October 15 and December 10. The 6- to 12-inch trees are
guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of
charge.
"Colorado blue spruce trees provide homeowners
with numerous benefits," said Matt Harris, chief execu-
tive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "They can be used a s
an energy-saving windbreak, for privacy, as ornamen-
tal trees and even as living Christmas trees out in the
yard. They truly provide year-round beauty for any
landscape."
New members of the Arbor Day Foundation will also
receive The Tree Book, which includes information about
tree planting and care and a subscription to Arbor Day,
the Foundation's bimonthly publication.
- To receive the free Colorado blue spruce trees, send
a $10 membership contribution to: Ten Free Blue
Spruce s, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Ne-
braska City, NE 68410, by August 31, or j.oin online at
arborday.org/august.
Learn @ Your Library:
Caring Conversations
Talking about death is
difficult and awkward for
family members. Each
may have different reasons
for wanting to stay silent
or to talk. Some family
members say nothing, out
of fear of saying the wrong
thing. Another says noth-
ing because of a supersti-
tious belief that to ac-
knowledge death is to has-
ten it. It can be much easier
if you know what to do.
Learn how to begin end-
of-life conversations and
funeral planning discus-
sions with family mem-
bers at a "Learn @ Your
Library" class Thursday,
Aug. 7, from 1-2 p.m. Pre-
register for this free pre-
sentation by calling the
Norwalk Easter Public Li-
brary at 981-0217 or stop-
ping by thecirculation
desk.
" Agenda
City. Council Special
Business Meeting
Agenda
Thursday. July 31, 2014,
5:00 p.m.
1. Call to order at 5:00
p.m.
2. Approval of the
Agenda.
3. Consideration of li-
quor license for Outskirtz.
4. Discussion related to
a Master Ordinance re-
lated to individual re-
gional storm water drain-
age facilities.
5. Fire code updates dis-
cussion.
6. Interstate discussion.
7. Capital project priori-
ties.
8. Capital equipment
priorities.
9. Other.
10. Adjournment.
Annual NABC
Golf Benefit
The 7th Annual Nor-
walk Athletic Booster Club
(NABC) will be held Sat-
urda3 Aug. 23, at Warrior
Run Golf Course with
shotgun starts at 7:30 a.m.
or 1 p.m. (Select desired
time of play.) Deadline is
Monda) Aug. 11.
The event is 9 holes
twice through, four-per-
son best shot. The cost is
$65 per person or $260 per
foursome. Price includes
lunch, starting at noon.
There also will be prizes.
For a registration form,
contact Stacy Rosonke at
srosonkeourcaptive.eon
Proceeds are used for the
general fund of the NABC.
REMINDER!
The City of
Norwalk has
installed the new
speed
limits for Sunset Dr./: :
Hwy 28.
I
Deadline for ads, I-
legals and stories
I
is Noon Friday!
dq: .
