Announcements

The updated Return to Learn Plan that was approved on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, was neither an endorsement nor an admonishment of masks. The approved plan enables the district to follow the federal order and to avoid violating federal civil rights and disability laws.

Changes in the approved Return to Learn Plan are highlighted below:

• The approved changes will take effect September 23, 2021, and will remain in effect through December 21, 2021, unless there are changes to the current law or further action by the board.

• A new plan will be presented for the beginning of the 2022 calendar year.

• Masks will be required for individuals age 2 and older, indoors on ACSD property during the compulsory school day. This includes students, teachers, staff, visitors, and volunteers.

• Masks will not be required when outdoors on ACSD property.

• Exemptions from last year will carry forward, and new exemption requests can be made by filling out the exemption form. Please note: The statement on the form, “A person granted a medical or religious exemption may be excluded from in-person school and school activities during a COVID-19 infection outbreak” means that having a mask exemption does not prevent a student from being told to stay home from school if they test positive for COVID. More information can be found on Iowa Department of Public Health’s website.

• We will work collaboratively with families to make sure we are balancing the health, safety, and educational needs of all students in a classroom.

• Our tracking and notification of potential COVID-19 exposure will be updated to meet the new plan. Communication about what to expect will be sent in the next couple of days from your student’s home school building.

• By Wednesday, September 29, lunch seating for grades 6-12, will implement a process so communication-related to potential exposure can be more precise.

Find the full plan with more detailed information on the Return to Learn section of the district website.

Picture Retakes will be on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021.  This is for those that did not get their picture taken during schedule pick up or if they got their picture taken and would like them to get retaken, please bring in original picture pack to turn back in.

Monday, Sept. 27–Comfy Day

Tuesday, Sept. 28–Tacky Tourist Day

Wednesday, Sept. 29th–Country Vs. Country Club

Thursday, Sept. 30th–Hat Day

Friday, Oct. 1–Jag Swag

While a student at Prairie Ridge, Kalyani Bhat, competed in the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. This competition features outstanding innovations from young scientists that utilize the power of STEM to improve the world. Over the summer of 2021 Kalyani was named the state merit winner for Iowa for her video communicating the science behind her solution to a ventilator alternative. Each state merit winner receives special recognition on the challenge website, along with a special technology prize pack. Kalyani is now a student at Northview Middle School.

View the 3M press release here.

The Ankeny Community School District and Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt invite Parents/Guardians to attend the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting on Thursday, September 16 from 6:00pm-7:30pm at Northview Middle School Auditorium.

The Parent Advisory Committee gives parents an opportunity to provide input on topics and ideas that are relevant to the district’s goal of preparing every learner for success. The committee will also provide insight into projects and initiatives that can be implemented to help move the district forward. Parents (and guardians) will have the opportunity to collaborate with each other and work together as one entity to ensure success for our students and community.

Innovative ideas, thoughtful questions, and respectful discussion are welcome!

This meeting marks the first of what will be monthly meetings. The PAC will meet the third Thursday of every month during the school year. Committee involvement is open to all parents of students enrolled in the Ankeny Community School District.

Where: Northview Middle School Auditorium

When: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (90 Minutes) starting September 16

Please find our updated COVID-19 dashboard and informational data here.

Ankeny Community School District is guided by state laws which prevent schools from mandating face masks and requires school districts in Iowa to provide on-site learning. However, students, staff, and others on district property are permitted to wear masks; disposable masks are available in our buildings for those who wish to wear them.

Per guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health, Ankeny Community School District will treat COVID-19 similar to influenza and other common child illnesses. Students who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 in or outside of school are not required to quarantine and should monitor for symptoms.

Due to health department changes in quarantine requirements, Ankeny Community School District will not contact trace to identify individuals as “close contacts” who may have been exposed to COVID-19 in the school setting. As necessary, all Ankeny school buildings are sending notifications to families to indicate potential exposure to positive case(s) of COVID-19.

A dashboard has been created to provide parents with “at-a-glance” positive case information, based on self-reported information. It is updated once a week and date stamped. An asterisk (*) denotes at least one but fewer than four (4) cases within a given reporting category and is provided in lieu of a specific number to protect privacy.

Transmission levels as of Friday, September 3, 2021 in Polk County are High. For more information please visit the CDC website. This website includes an integrated county view by state.

For more information on our health and mitigation practices please review our Return to Learn Addendum here.

2021 Northview Fall Athletic Information

Athletic Participation REQUIRED information

• Parents, please complete our online registration process ASAP if you have a fall student/athlete.
• Your student must have an updated physical and completed online registration to participate. Here is the link to complete the registration: https://ankenycentennial-ar.rschooltoday.com
• Even if your student-athlete will not participate in a fall sport, we are asking all families and students to complete the online process at this time.

Football

8th Football– Practice starts August 23rd

Remind Instructions:

text @737c7a to the number 81010 for team communications

Google Form (if you have not already filled it out already)

https://forms.gle/w8GQ5iqmabEQYfZCA

Camp Info

https://centennial.ankenycamps.com/football-camps1.cfm

Camp is Monday-Friday August 16-20  from 4-6PM  at NV

First day of practice is Monday, August 23 after school 4-6 at NV.  You must have your physical uploaded and registration complete in order to participate in practice.

Contact Coach Andy Fehn with questions: andy.fehn@ankenyschools.org

9th Football– Practice starts August 9th

Football camp will be held at Northview Stadium August 2-6 8:00-10:30am. Practice begins on Monday, August 9th at Northview Stadium 8:00-10:30 am.

Contact Coach Cade Gilbert with questions: cade.gilbert@ankenyschools.org

Boys Golf

9th Boys Golf– Practice starts August 16th

First practices will be August 16th & 17th from 9-10:00am at Des Moines Driving Range – 2944 NW 66th Ave., Des Moines. Starting August 18th, practices will be held at Woodland Hills Golf Course at 4:00pm. All players should bring their clubs and appropriate shoes.

Contact Coach Tony Klein with questions: tony.klein@ankenyschools.org

Volleyball

8th Volleyball– Practice starts August 23rd

Practice begins at 3:50 pm and will end at 5:30 pm most days except Wednesdays and Fridays.  Wednesdays and Fridays, dismissal time will be 5:00 pm.​

Please join Remind by texting @nvvball21 to 81010 for updates and reminders throughout the summer and school year.  This is our main platform for communication.

Look for a player/parent meeting to be scheduled mid-August prior to practice starting.

Contact coach Monica Sickels with questions: monica.sickels@ankenyschools.org

9th Volleyball – Practice starts August 9th

Practice August 9 – August 13th will be at ACHS from 9:00 – 12:00pm.  August 16 and 17 practice will be at Northview from 9:00-11:00 am. Starting August 18 through the remainder of the season, practices will run from 3:45-5:45 at Northview (Pending right now are Friday morning practices)

Join the “Remind” app by sending a text to 81010 with the message “@9vb2” for updates and reminders on practices and games.

Contact coach Samantha Eifler with questions: samantha.eifler@ankenyschools.org

Cross Country

8th Girls Cross Country– Practice starts August 25th at Northview Middle School

Informational Meeting on Tuesday, August 24th after school in the cafeteria at 4:00pm.

Contact Coach Kyle Benna with questions: kyle.benna@ankenyschools.org

8th Boys Cross Country–Practice starts August 23rd

All practices begin and end at Northview Middle School.  We will practice from 3:45 – 5:15 pm Monday through Friday.  Athletes will be ready for pick up no later than 5:15 pm.  Please join Remind by texting @eb22h6 to 81010 for updates and reminders throughout the summer and school year.  This is our main platform for communication. We will have a parent meeting after the first practice at 5:20 pm in the Easy gym at Northview.

Contact Coach Mike Radue with questions: mike.radue@ankenyschools.org

9th Girls Cross Country – Practice starts August 9th

The first mandatory practice is August 9th from 7:00 – 9:30am at the NE corner of Centennial High School.  The rest of the week will continue with 7:00 – 9:00 am practices.  Beginning August 16th, practices will be from 4:00 – 6:00pm.  You need to have an updated physical and completed online registration to participate.

There will be a parent meeting and a team breakfast at Northview in the Cafeteria from 9-10:30 on Saturday, August 14.

Contact Coach Eric Cogdill with questions: eric.cogdill@ankenyschools.org

9th Boys Cross Country – Practice starts August 9th at 8am

Meet at the north end of ACHS. We will continue morning practice this week.

Starting August 16th we will practice at ACHS at 4pm.

You need to have an updated physical uploaded and the online athletic registration completed in order to practice

Contact Coach Chad Fickbohm with questions: chad.fickbohm@ankenyschools.org

Swimming/ Diving

9th girls swimming – Practice starts August 9th

Monday & Friday morning practice (dry land training) 6:00am – 7:30am at Centennial High School, Swimmers and Divers

• Tuesday & Thursday morning practice (pool, swim only) 6:00am – 7:30am at Trail Point on DMACC campus.
• Monday – Friday afternoon practice (pool) 4:00pm – 6:30pm at Trail Point.
• Saturday practice (pool) 7:30am – 9:00am at Trail Point.
• Diving practice (pool) Monday – Friday 6:15pm – 8:00pm / Saturday 9:00am – 10:00am at Trail Point.

Contact Coach Michelle Stout with questions: michelle.stout@ankenyschools.org

The fall sports parent meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, August 5, at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial High School in the main gym.   This meeting is for parents of students in grades 9-12 that will be participating in Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, Football, Boys Golf, Girls Swimming and Diving, Volleyball, Fall Cheer and Dance.   Following the brief meeting with the Activities Staff, parents will meet with coaches for additional information.

Schedule Pick-Up

Tuesday, August 17th from 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 18th from 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

 First Day of School

Monday, August 23rd

Back to School Night/Meet the Teacher

Monday, August 30th (time TBD)

The Ankeny Community School District (ACSD) is committed to keeping our students, staff, and community safe while we continue to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to respect current social distancing requirements and to protect the health and safety of our staff and community, the procedures communicated below may be different compared to past practices.

Ankeny Community Schools is accepting the annual textbook rental fees, purchases of CIML (Central Iowa Metro League) student activity tickets, K-8 activity passes, eight-punch pass activity tickets, parking passes, and meal account deposits for the 2021-2022 school year. Fees are accepted by:

• Credit/debit card online at TouchBase. This is the preferred method of payment.
• NEW/CHANGE – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY – Credit/debit card at a building.
  • School building: An appointment must be made by calling that building’s main office. Please know that office hours may be limited.
  • District Office building: An appointment must be made by calling 515-965-9600. Please know that office hours may be limited. Checking the website would be beneficial.
  • Credit/debit card numbers CANNOT be taken over the phone.
  • Mail check to 306 SW School Street, PO box 189, Ankeny 50021-0189 using this payment form.

For information on making online payments, please refer to the online fees and meal payments. You may view an instructional video on using TouchBase.

You can learn more about how to use TouchBase by reading this new user guide.

Important points regarding online payments:

• Meal account deposits may be made throughout the school year. Try the recurring purchases feature on TouchBase!
• NEW/CHANGE to staying online all school year: League student activity tickets (9-12 only) and the K-8 grade activity tickets may be purchased online until Sunday, August 8.
• Eight-punch activity tickets can be purchased online until Sunday, August 8. Beginning August 9, payments for the eight-punch activity tickets/passes may be purchased from your feeder system’s high school Activity Office or at a home event.
• TouchBase can be found under Online Payments, which is located in the Quick Links at the top right and bottom of the page. Please note, when accessing TouchBase, you will be leaving the Ankeny Schools website and entering a secured environment hosted by InTouch Receipting.

What is the annual Textbook Rental?

The Textbook Rental is an Iowa Department of Education state-wide term used that covers not only textbooks, but electronic textbooks and any supplementary instructional materials used that conveys information to the student or otherwise contributes to the learning process. This is referenced and authorized in Iowa Code 301.1.

If you have already paid the textbook rental fee for this year, you do not need to do so again.

Free/Reduced Priced Meals and Other Fees

To be eligible for free/reduced price meals and textbook rental fees, you must submit an application and the fee waiver form EACH SCHOOL YEAR. This can be done online late July on the nutrition services free and reduced meals webpage.

Please contact LeeAnna Vigor before completing an application, if:

• You are enrolling a kindergarten student and another student in your household was eligible for free or reduced meals the previous school year.
• You have a student who is transferring from another school in Iowa and was eligible for free or reduced meals at that school.  Eligibility does NOT automatically transfer – you need to notify LeeAnna Vigor.
• The state has placed a foster student in your care.

To be eligible for Free/Reduced Text book Rental, a free/reduced priced meal application and the fee waiver form must be completed and approved on October 4, 2021 or before. If not, unless a student is a new enrollee, full priced Textbook Rental Fees will be applicable for students in your household. PLEASE NOTE: if a fee waiver is applicable, it is only valid if completed and submitted within that eligible school year.

Contact Information:

• For questions about fee and/or fine balances, fee and/or fine payments, please email studentfees@ankenyschools.org
• For questions about meal balances and/or meal payments or School Cafe, please email leeanna.vigor@ankenyschools.org or scott.litchfield@ankenyschools.org.
• For questions about the Free and Reduced Meal Program, please email leeanna.vigor@ankenyschools.org.
• For questions about the Before and After School Program and/or about the payment structure, please email nikki.logsdon@ankenyschools.org.