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March 5, 2024

March Newsletter

Click here for the March Newsletter.

February 22, 2024

Parent Resource: Tips to Prepare for Assessments

During this time of year, many of our students will be preparing to take assessments. Whether you’re helping an elementary or secondary student prepare for testing, listed below are a few resources to help:

February 14, 2024

Notice of School Property Prescribed Burns

The ACSD maintenance team will be conducting prescribed burns periodically in Ankeny as weather conditions allow, continuing until June 1, 2024. Weather conditions and safety considerations will determine the exact date and time of the fires.

Why do we perform prescribed burns?

Central Iowa’s landscape was once dominated by tall grass prairies. These ecosystems have an abundance of plants, insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles. The native grasses and forbs (flowers) also provide seed and nectar for insects, butterflies, birds, and small mammals. In nature, fire is essential to maintain the integrity of the native prairie plant species located in our parks. Fire is a natural occurrence that helps the plant and animal communities in a park and controlled burning offers a safer way to use fire in a helpful manner. The benefits of prescribed burns include the following:

  • Aid in reducing the undesirable plants from invading our native prairie areas
  • Help to maintain a rich diversity of wildflowers and grasses
  • Decreases the threat of wildfires by decreasing the accumulation of combustibles
  • Benefits water quality by aiding in the establishment of deep-rooted natives
  • Improves the natural beauty and enjoyment of our parks

Thank you for understanding.

January 31, 2024

Transitional Kindergarten Program

Ankeny Schools is excited to announce the opening of a transitional kindergarten (TK) program for the 2024-2025 school year. This new level is designed to provide students with the time needed to develop essential social and academic skills, acting as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten.

Registration for Transitional Kindergarten will be integrated into the general registration process, commencing on February 2, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Similar to preschool, available space is limited, and acceptance is determined by the time and date of the submitted complete registration. Class sizes will be capped at 20 students per class, and the total number of classrooms will be finalized by the district later in the spring.

For more information please visit the Transitional Kindergarten website page within the Register section. Applicants can expect to receive an email confirmation of classroom placement or waitlist status by the end of March.

January 12, 2024

Let’s Talk About…Core Skills, Soft Skills, and Mental Health

Listen to these experts as they explore the creation of a culture of belonging. Discover our commitment to equipping educators with the tools to help students develop essential soft skills. Learn strategies for guiding students through the high school to college transition, emphasizing the importance of early connections and proactive support. They also mention how it is important to focus on student well-being, encouraging self-care practices during study sessions, including water breaks, physical movement, and brain breaks. Uncover how Ankeny fosters these skills from pre-kindergarten, aligning with Ankeny’s graduate profile.

Join Kayla Bell-Consolver, Director of the Counseling Center at Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake University, Shawn Beirman, Social-Emotional Learning Specialist at Ankeny Schools, and Al Neppl, Director of Professional and Leadership Development at Ankeny Schools, in a conversation highlighting the significance of adaptability, empathy, and collaboration for students.

Click here to listen or find us on your favorite podcast app!

September 7, 2023

New! Absence Request Feature on Infinite Campus

Offthebus

We are excited to introduce a convenient new way to report student absences to your school! The Absence Request tool in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal allows you to report your student’s absence online with just a few clicks. This can be done using your desktop computer or the Parent Portal app on your mobile device.

Entering an absence request is quick and easy. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
  2. Select your child’s profile.
  3. Navigate to the Absence Request section.
  4. Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.
  5. Submit your request.

Visit this Absence Request Guide for detailed information on how to report absences.

Per the student handbook, students who know they will be absent for a reason other than a school-sponsored trip or school-sponsored activity must have a parent notify the school’s office in advance of the absence. This notification can be provided using the Absence Request tool outlined above, or by phone call, e-mail, or written note.

August 4, 2023

Voluntary student accident insurance

As we gear up for the new school year, we would like to remind all families (PK-12) about Student Assurance Services student accident coverage.

The Ankeny Community School District is not responsible for any accidental injuries that occur to students while under the school’s supervision or participating in interscholastic sports. Our school district has partnered with Student Assurance Services to give families the opportunity to purchase accident insurance for their student(s). When enrolled, this coverage provides financial assistance with your out-of-pocket medical expenses should your student sustain an accidental bodily injury.

Reasons to consider coverage for your student:
1. Your primary health insurance has a high deductible – copay – coinsurance.
2. No other insurance on your student.
3. Your student participates in a sport where unexpected injuries commonly occur.

This coverage provides an added layer of protection for students, especially for those with high deductible health insurance or those who are currently uninsured. In the unfortunate event of a student injury occurring under the school’s supervision, this coverage can be a crucial asset for your family.

While we hope that none of our students will face any accidents or injuries, it is vital to be prepared and have the necessary safeguards in place.

If you have any questions regarding this voluntary student accident insurance program, please contact Student Assurance Services at (800) 328-2739. You will speak with a live person who can assist you with your questions.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to a safe and successful academic year ahead.

Voluntary Online Enrollment Form – English

Voluntary Online Enrollment Form – Spanish

January 4, 2023

Times to arrive at school

School begins at 7:55 AM and dismisses at 2:55 PM daily.  Students may enter the school at 7:30 AM  and proceed to the gym until 7:45 AM at which time they will be dismissed to their classrooms.

 

October 13, 2022

Lost Bus Pass

There is a $6.00 fee to replace a lost bus pass.  Please bring money to front office to pay.

August 9, 2022

Specials Schedule

We will be using a Specials Schedule again this year with letter days.  Specials schedules will be gone over with your students the first couple days of school.  Please find attached a schedule of letter days that will help you navigate which special your student has on which days.  Students will also  be reminded of what letter day it is when they enter the school building each morning.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rQFaX1Uysoinct4TXTp66LNYTEbKdPPtpX47LBbVxdU/edit?usp=sharing