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Chamber welcomes teachers back
by diane vance /gate city staff writer
The Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Back to School Picnic Monday at Keokuk Middle School for public and private school staff.
After the first day of in-service for Keokuk Community School District, several teachers said they were glad to have dinner waiting for them. Students begin school today in Keokuk.
“The Education Committee did a good job,” said Katie O'Brien, executive director of the chamber. “It's a voluntary committee. Cheryl Noller is the chair this year. She's been very organized.
“Members of our chamber board have come out to help serve food.”
The pulled pork sandwiches, sides and drinks were catered by Hy-Vee.
“I just love this event,” said O'Brien. “The teachers get goody bags and we have drawings for many door prizes.”
Chamber businesses and members contribute items for the gift bags and door prizes.
Peevler Real Estate donated a DVD player. Southeastern Community College, Center for Business and Industry, donated a $99 gift certificate toward a class, along with a book bag and a book, “Eat That Frog.” KAME donated a boxed first aid kit. Many businesses donated gift certificates. Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois donated Girl Scout cookies.
Hawthorne first grade teacher Amy Delperdang shared a table with her husband, Jesse, and their young children, Patton, 2, and Nolan, 10 months.
“We usually come as a family to the picnic,” she said.
Other staff also brought spouses and/or children. Many teachers enjoy re-connecting with co-workers and friends.
Keokuk Middle School life science teacher Mike Krebill has plans to start the year off with a research project for his seventh grade students.
“I'm attending a conference this fall and I want to present my students' research at the conference,” he said.
Krebill will have students make pink lemonade from smooth sumac. Smooth sumac grows Christmas-tree-like clusters of red berries at the top of its leaves. Sumac that is poisonous grows hanging clusters of white berries.
“It's easy to spot the difference,” said Krebill. “The smooth sumac berries still have tannic acid that can make a bitter taste. We will experiment with various ways to crush the berries to get the juice or steep them like tea. We will experiment with how long to leave the berries steeping to achieve maximum flavor and avoid the bitterness of tannic acid. We will use science to answer questions.”
New St. Vincent's/Cardinal Stritch Principal Jill Stuecker attended the picnic.
“I'm looking forward to the school year,” she said.
Stuecker served as elementary principal for a year at Holy Trinity in Fort Madison. A native of Fairfield, she also was principal at St. James in Washington and served her internship there.
Hawthorne kindergarten teacher Mary Meyer will bring her dog, Pepper, back to the classroom today.
“I think he's gotten used to staying home over the summer, too,” she said. “All the families know at kindergarten rodeo that my classroom includes a dog. Many of the children want to attend school with a dog but we have to make sure students with allergies know about Pepper.”
Sponsors of the 2007 picnic were: Atmos Energy, First Community Bank, KSB Bank, Metzler Automotive, Principal Financial, McDonald Law Office, Keokuk Area Hospital, Daily Gate City and State Central Bank.
Additional chamber members contributing to the picnic were: City of Keokuk, Daily Gate City, Domino's Pizza, Edward Jones, First Community Bank, Hoerner YMCA, KAH, River Hills Village, SCC, Principal Financial, Hampton Inn, Hawkeye Restaurant, Ridders Business Supplies, Keaslings Pharmacy & Gifts, Younggren Shoes, Sonic of Keokuk, Knights of Columbus, Taske Force, Wal-Mart and State Central Bank.
Members of the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee are: Noller, Girl Scouts; Debbie Leone, SCC; Rhonda Schrek, KAH; Russ Derr, Keokuk Community School District (KCSD); Susan Dunek, SCC; Ed Kiedaisch, DockGuard Americas; Jim Schneider, KCSD; Kari Bevans, SCC; David Wendt, KCSD; David Keane, KCSD; Julia Logan, KCSD school board; O'Brien; Erin Boeding, Girl Scouts; and Stuecker.
After the first day of in-service for Keokuk Community School District, several teachers said they were glad to have dinner waiting for them. Students begin school today in Keokuk.
“The Education Committee did a good job,” said Katie O'Brien, executive director of the chamber. “It's a voluntary committee. Cheryl Noller is the chair this year. She's been very organized.
“Members of our chamber board have come out to help serve food.”
The pulled pork sandwiches, sides and drinks were catered by Hy-Vee.
“I just love this event,” said O'Brien. “The teachers get goody bags and we have drawings for many door prizes.”
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Peevler Real Estate donated a DVD player. Southeastern Community College, Center for Business and Industry, donated a $99 gift certificate toward a class, along with a book bag and a book, “Eat That Frog.” KAME donated a boxed first aid kit. Many businesses donated gift certificates. Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois donated Girl Scout cookies.
Hawthorne first grade teacher Amy Delperdang shared a table with her husband, Jesse, and their young children, Patton, 2, and Nolan, 10 months.
“We usually come as a family to the picnic,” she said.
Other staff also brought spouses and/or children. Many teachers enjoy re-connecting with co-workers and friends.
Keokuk Middle School life science teacher Mike Krebill has plans to start the year off with a research project for his seventh grade students.
“I'm attending a conference this fall and I want to present my students' research at the conference,” he said.
Krebill will have students make pink lemonade from smooth sumac. Smooth sumac grows Christmas-tree-like clusters of red berries at the top of its leaves. Sumac that is poisonous grows hanging clusters of white berries.
“It's easy to spot the difference,” said Krebill. “The smooth sumac berries still have tannic acid that can make a bitter taste. We will experiment with various ways to crush the berries to get the juice or steep them like tea. We will experiment with how long to leave the berries steeping to achieve maximum flavor and avoid the bitterness of tannic acid. We will use science to answer questions.”
New St. Vincent's/Cardinal Stritch Principal Jill Stuecker attended the picnic.
“I'm looking forward to the school year,” she said.
Stuecker served as elementary principal for a year at Holy Trinity in Fort Madison. A native of Fairfield, she also was principal at St. James in Washington and served her internship there.
Hawthorne kindergarten teacher Mary Meyer will bring her dog, Pepper, back to the classroom today.
“I think he's gotten used to staying home over the summer, too,” she said. “All the families know at kindergarten rodeo that my classroom includes a dog. Many of the children want to attend school with a dog but we have to make sure students with allergies know about Pepper.”
Sponsors of the 2007 picnic were: Atmos Energy, First Community Bank, KSB Bank, Metzler Automotive, Principal Financial, McDonald Law Office, Keokuk Area Hospital, Daily Gate City and State Central Bank.
Additional chamber members contributing to the picnic were: City of Keokuk, Daily Gate City, Domino's Pizza, Edward Jones, First Community Bank, Hoerner YMCA, KAH, River Hills Village, SCC, Principal Financial, Hampton Inn, Hawkeye Restaurant, Ridders Business Supplies, Keaslings Pharmacy & Gifts, Younggren Shoes, Sonic of Keokuk, Knights of Columbus, Taske Force, Wal-Mart and State Central Bank.
Members of the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee are: Noller, Girl Scouts; Debbie Leone, SCC; Rhonda Schrek, KAH; Russ Derr, Keokuk Community School District (KCSD); Susan Dunek, SCC; Ed Kiedaisch, DockGuard Americas; Jim Schneider, KCSD; Kari Bevans, SCC; David Wendt, KCSD; David Keane, KCSD; Julia Logan, KCSD school board; O'Brien; Erin Boeding, Girl Scouts; and Stuecker.
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