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Kid Zone attendance up, program director tells board
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| Keokuk School Board member Julia Logan (left) accepts a certificate of appreciation from Linda Sue Mullen, vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary. Mullen presented certificates to board members on Nov. 10 in anticipation of American Education Week, this week. Jill VerDught, board secretary, is in the middle. |
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
Average daily attendance at Keokuk's before and after school program Kid Zone is increasing, director Laurie Mendenhall told Keokuk School Board members on Nov. 10.
“I'm confident our attendance will continue to increase. Donations and contributions are sponsoring 52 students to be able to attend,” said Mendenhall.
Kid Zone's Community Leadership Team works to raise funds and solicit local businesses' and industries' support to help defray the fees to attend Kid Zone, instituted for the first time this year because the program no longer receives large grants.
Local donations from individuals and businesses, a $5,000 Lee County Youth Services grant, $4,500 from the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, the Betty Oliver Memorial Fund and $1,200 in matching funds from the Keokuk Community School Foundation from Aug. 11 through Nov. 5 add up to $30,562.
“I have made sponsorships available for families with more than one child wanting to attend Kid Zone, regardless of income,” said Mendenhall. “We want everyone to pay something. One child from a family does not qualify for scholarships. Anyone who has asked for a scholarship has received one. We are granting units of time in two-month blocks. After the two months, families can re-apply.”
Fees, set at three tiers according to family income guidelines as registered in the school lunch program, have collected $17,055 to date.
Mendenhall said 83 students paid fees to attend a half-day of Kid Zone during a teachers' inservice day. She wants to provide Kid Zone for the next four early-out inservice days.
The program has applied for a Department of Education $143,000 grant. The district will be notified in December if it will receive the grant. The funds must be used by Oct. 31, 2009.
The grant has four goals: to expand and enhance Kid Zone; strengthen academic achievement; implement best practices based on youth development research; and develop positive bonds between families and schools.
District applies
for grants
Superintendent Dr. Lora Wolff asked the board to approve, which it did, the school district applying for (Sen. Tom) Harkin grants for fire safety and construction.
Keokuk is applying in two competitions for fire safety grants, $100,000 each. Notification will be in March 2009. No local match is required.
The grant would be used for continuing replacement of electrical panels at Keokuk High School to prepare for anticipated increased electrical loads such as air conditioning and technology. The project is estimated to cost $126,000. The district would use $26,000 from the state local option sales tax fund, physical plant and equipment levy, the Lee County one-cent sales tax or general funds, if it receives the grant.
Keokuk also is applying for a construction grant with a maximum award of $500,000 that requires a 75 percent local match.
The grant can fund building related construction, reconstruction, repairs, improvements and remodels. It cannot be used for outdoor recreation, playgrounds, athletic complexes, gyms or stadiums.
Wolff said the district would use the construction grant to begin replacement of the windows and mapes panels at KHS, specifically beginning with the A and C wings.
Keokuk is requesting up to $1 million. The grant would fund $250,000 with the district providing $750,000, using money from state local option sales tax fund, physical plant and equipment levy or the Lee County one-cent sales tax, if it receives the grant.
In other business:
Activities director Mike Niece praised the drama students and director Ann Hester for the high school's production of “High School Musical” and the Winterguard for its wins and Little Feather Mikayla White earning a Division I rating at state solo competition. “Keokuk made a clean sweep,” he said. He also noted KHS senior Emily Barrett was selected to the All State Musical Festival.
Niece could not update the board about renovations for the locker room, Wright Fieldhouse balcony and wrestling room because the architect's plans had not returned.
American Legion Auxiliary Vice President Linda Sue Mullen gave certificates of appreciation to school board members in anticipation of American Education Week.
“The American Legion began American Education Week and we do appreciate your outstanding services,” she said. “We salute all education workers each year.”
Board President Dr. Bill Davis thanked Mullen for the Legion's contributions to the community.
n Keokuk Middle School Principal Steve Carman said students have raised $1,000 to purchase 67 wreaths to place in Keokuk's National Cemetery as part of the annual “Wreaths Across America.” Wreaths will be placed at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
Business manager Greg Reynolds said work is continuing on the abstract in the sale of Lincoln School to Keokuk Municipal Waterworks.
The district netted $4,190 in the Oct. 25 auction at Lincoln.
“Thanks to Shield's auction service and the community's response,” he said.
In personnel news, Kid Zone administrative assistant Cathi Ruth will resign effective Nov. 21.
The Keokuk School Board's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Hawthorne Elementary School.
“I'm confident our attendance will continue to increase. Donations and contributions are sponsoring 52 students to be able to attend,” said Mendenhall.
Kid Zone's Community Leadership Team works to raise funds and solicit local businesses' and industries' support to help defray the fees to attend Kid Zone, instituted for the first time this year because the program no longer receives large grants.
Local donations from individuals and businesses, a $5,000 Lee County Youth Services grant, $4,500 from the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, the Betty Oliver Memorial Fund and $1,200 in matching funds from the Keokuk Community School Foundation from Aug. 11 through Nov. 5 add up to $30,562.
“I have made sponsorships available for families with more than one child wanting to attend Kid Zone, regardless of income,” said Mendenhall. “We want everyone to pay something. One child from a family does not qualify for scholarships. Anyone who has asked for a scholarship has received one. We are granting units of time in two-month blocks. After the two months, families can re-apply.”
Fees, set at three tiers according to family income guidelines as registered in the school lunch program, have collected $17,055 to date.
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The program has applied for a Department of Education $143,000 grant. The district will be notified in December if it will receive the grant. The funds must be used by Oct. 31, 2009.
The grant has four goals: to expand and enhance Kid Zone; strengthen academic achievement; implement best practices based on youth development research; and develop positive bonds between families and schools.
District applies
for grants
Superintendent Dr. Lora Wolff asked the board to approve, which it did, the school district applying for (Sen. Tom) Harkin grants for fire safety and construction.
Keokuk is applying in two competitions for fire safety grants, $100,000 each. Notification will be in March 2009. No local match is required.
The grant would be used for continuing replacement of electrical panels at Keokuk High School to prepare for anticipated increased electrical loads such as air conditioning and technology. The project is estimated to cost $126,000. The district would use $26,000 from the state local option sales tax fund, physical plant and equipment levy, the Lee County one-cent sales tax or general funds, if it receives the grant.
Keokuk also is applying for a construction grant with a maximum award of $500,000 that requires a 75 percent local match.
The grant can fund building related construction, reconstruction, repairs, improvements and remodels. It cannot be used for outdoor recreation, playgrounds, athletic complexes, gyms or stadiums.
Wolff said the district would use the construction grant to begin replacement of the windows and mapes panels at KHS, specifically beginning with the A and C wings.
Keokuk is requesting up to $1 million. The grant would fund $250,000 with the district providing $750,000, using money from state local option sales tax fund, physical plant and equipment levy or the Lee County one-cent sales tax, if it receives the grant.
In other business:
Activities director Mike Niece praised the drama students and director Ann Hester for the high school's production of “High School Musical” and the Winterguard for its wins and Little Feather Mikayla White earning a Division I rating at state solo competition. “Keokuk made a clean sweep,” he said. He also noted KHS senior Emily Barrett was selected to the All State Musical Festival.
Niece could not update the board about renovations for the locker room, Wright Fieldhouse balcony and wrestling room because the architect's plans had not returned.
American Legion Auxiliary Vice President Linda Sue Mullen gave certificates of appreciation to school board members in anticipation of American Education Week.
“The American Legion began American Education Week and we do appreciate your outstanding services,” she said. “We salute all education workers each year.”
Board President Dr. Bill Davis thanked Mullen for the Legion's contributions to the community.
n Keokuk Middle School Principal Steve Carman said students have raised $1,000 to purchase 67 wreaths to place in Keokuk's National Cemetery as part of the annual “Wreaths Across America.” Wreaths will be placed at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
Business manager Greg Reynolds said work is continuing on the abstract in the sale of Lincoln School to Keokuk Municipal Waterworks.
The district netted $4,190 in the Oct. 25 auction at Lincoln.
“Thanks to Shield's auction service and the community's response,” he said.
In personnel news, Kid Zone administrative assistant Cathi Ruth will resign effective Nov. 21.
The Keokuk School Board's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Hawthorne Elementary School.
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