Announcements

Click here for the November Newsletter.

Congratulations to our Jaguar Football Team on qualifying for the state playoffs.  The first round game is Friday, November 1 at the Ankeny Stadium.  This year both the Jaguars and Hawks will be hosting the first round playoff games.  The Jaguars will host the first game beginning at 5:30 PM versus Iowa City High and the Ankeny Hawks will play Linn-Mar with their game kicking off 30 minutes after the completion of the first game.  Tickets for Friday night are good for both the Centennial v. Iowa City High game and the Ankeny v. Linn-Mar game.  Once you leave the stadium, you cannot re-enter.  You will not be permitted to leave the stadium between games.  Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket booth with a credit card.  No cash ticket sales, SAT or Booster passes will be accepted for postseason events.  The game will be on Livestream via CISN.tv as well.  Let’s show our continued support of the Centennial Jaguars and fill the stadium for Friday night football!  GO JAGUARS!

Congratulations to our Jaguar Volleyball Team on once again qualifying for the state tournament.  The state tournament is held at the Xtream Arena in Coralville.   The Jaguars will take on Cedar Falls in the quarterfinal match on Monday, November 4, at 12:25 PM.  The semi-final match will be Wednesday at 10:25 AM and the championship match will be Thursday at 10:00 AM.    All tickets are sold online or can be purchased on site at the arena box office.  For all ticketing, parking and schedule information, please go to the IGHSAU State Tournament Central page.  For Centennial and Northview student attendance procedures, please see the email that was sent out on Wednesday, October 30.  Let’s rally together and pack the arena – GO JAGUARS!

Student attendance procedures:

Please report the absence using ONLY ONE of the following methods.  Multiple emails and calls on the same student causes a delay in processing all absences. 

1. Through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal App (preferred method)
2.  Email chs.office@ankenyschools.org for CHS students
3.  Email nv.office@ankenyschools.org for NV students
4.  Call 515-965-9610 for CHS students / Call 515-965-9700 for NV students

Please note, students will need to be called out daily for each day they are attending 

Reminder Regarding State Attendance Reporting

• A new state law governs student attendance. Under this new legislation, excused and unexcused absences will have new definitions.
• Our district will track absences as the state requires, which will count toward chronic absenteeism. However, the district will not impose any additional school-based consequences related to 8th-12th grade students’ ability to practice & play in activities. The activity departments will continue to make those decisions in alignment with our student handbook.
• Attending the State tournament would fall in the category as unexcused for reporting purposes, but those students would still be able to participate in activities that night as long as it is stated they are attending the State event as a fan.

The Ankeny Centennial High School Quiz Bowl Team has won their first-ever Iowa State Knowledge Bowl Championship, defeating the Ankeny High School team, which had held the title for the past three years. In Division 2, the Southview Middle School Quiz Bowl team claimed the state championship by defeating Northview and several small high schools across Iowa. “I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to coach these amazing students in Ankeny public schools,” said Quiz Bowl coach Nathan Coombes. “This is the first time ACHS has fielded a team in five years.”

One of the great things about Ankeny Schools is the community’s support of our athletics and activities. These events bring thousands of people together to celebrate the achievement of students. Because security is of utmost importance, the district continues to review its practices and identify areas of improvement at such events. As a result, we implement security measures for our activities and events.

Security practices:

• Grades 6-12 must wear school ID while at the game
• Footballs are not allowed
• No baby powder, confetti, signs, noisemakers
• No weapons (real or look-alike)
• The North gate will remain secured at all times unless a team, band, or emergency personnel need access to the stadium
• Families will be encouraged to ensure that students in grades K-5 be accompanied by an adult
• Entrance to the stadium before an event will not be allowed
• There will be no re-entry after leaving the stadium
• Spectators will not be allowed to bring backpacks and large handbags into the stadium; Diaper bags or medical bags are allowed, but are subject to search
• No outside food or drink
• No access without a ticket or pass, including after halftime

These recommendations are the result of numerous conversations with security experts and a review of our current practices. Security can often be at odds with convenience. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for our students and spectators. We look forward to cheering on the Hawks and Jaguars with you this Fall.

For all incoming 8th and 9th graders:

Northview Middle School doesn’t have a specific school supply list.  We encourage parents to purchase or reuse folders, notebooks, pens and pencils.  Just a small amount of these items are generally all that is needed throughout the school year.  If there is something specific that a class needs, your teacher will go over that with you during the first few days of class.  Most classes will do a large amount of their work on the student’s Chromebook.

If you have any additional questions, please call the main office line at #515-965-9700.

Ankeny Centennial High School’s theater department will participate in the 2024 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school’s achievements for its April production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase will take place at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a total of 102 schools from across the entire state.

Ankeny Centennial will be prominently featured in a special video presentation at the Showcase, celebrating their receipt of the Outstanding Overall Performance Award, one of the program’s highest honors. Additionally, select students will represent Centennial High School by performing in a collaborative inter-school medley, under the guidance of a guest Broadway music director and choreographer.

We’re proud to announce that Abby Fickbohm (“Ariel”) and Austin Summers (“Sebastian”) have earned Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role honors. They will join other advanced performing students in the Triple Threat Award program. Alongside a special performance at the Showcase, these students will have the opportunity to audition for theater camp scholarships and a chance to represent Iowa at the Jimmy Awards, or National High School Musical Theatre Awards, in New York City this summer.

In addition to these individual accolades, Ankeny Centennial will be recognized with the following awards and honors:

• Outstanding Ensemble
• Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Tatum Murphy as “Ursula”
• Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Ethan Quinn as “Prince Eric”
• Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Drew Carter as “Scuttle”
• Tickets for the Showcase, starting at $15, will be available for purchase on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 10 AM. They can be purchased online at DMPA.org, at the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, or by phone at 515-246-2300.

For those unable to attend in person, the Awards Showcase will be live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Additionally, Iowa PBS will broadcast a highlights special of the event later this summer on dates to be announced.

Join us as we celebrate the talent and achievements of Ankeny Centennial High School’s theater department on this grand stage!

Students, parents, and community members are invited to participate in the nomination process for the ACSD People of the Year awards, an event that recognizes outstanding contributions to our educational community. Nomination forms are open for the following awards:

• Education Professional of the Year Nomination Form
• Support Staff Member of the Year Nomination Form
• Volunteer of the Year Nomination Form

Your nominations will help us recognize and celebrate the outstanding people that make our school district a great place to be! Please take a moment to consider individuals who have made a positive impact and submit your nominations by March 1, 2024.

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:

• Helping Your Child with Test-Taking
• Help Your Child Prepare for Standardized Tests

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.