Announcements

The Local 5 We Are Iowa team is excited to invite parents and guardians to have their children participate in our holiday card design contest! This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to showcase their creativity while supporting a great cause.

Children up to 13 years of age can submit their holiday card designs using the Card Design Template. The best part? The top five winning designs will be printed and sold at the Des Moines Holiday Boutique, with all proceeds going to DMARC in support of their food pantries.

Entry is free and the process is simple! For more details about the contest and to see how it supports DMARC, check out our interview [here].

To submit your child’s design or for more information, please click [here].

Remember, submissions are due by October 20th. Don’t miss this chance to get involved in a heartwarming holiday project that benefits the community.

Thank you, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s spread some holiday cheer together!

Please view the latest edition of the Ashland Ridge Newsletter here:

Please view the latest edition of the Ashland Ridge Newsletter here.

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.

PTO Meeting held in the Media Center at 7:00pm

PTO Meeting held in the Media Center at 7:00pm

This spring, the Ankeny Centennial high school drama and music departments are producing Disney’s The Little Mermaid! Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Ariel wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. This fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible and familiar songs!

Adult tickets are $15 and child/student tickets are $10; they can be purchased online here or at the door with cash/check. All seating is general admission.

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.