From the Desk of the Superintendent
by Ed Hawks
June 25, 2009
AUGUST 2009 DISTRICT DISPATCH
The beginning of the 2009-10 school year is just around the corner.
I hope your summer is going well. Registration for all grades will
take place at the high school on Monday, August 3, 2009, from 8:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The first day of
classes for students will be on Thursday, August 20, 2009. Please
note that we will be having 1:30 p.m. dismissals on August 20th and
21st for faculty professional development activities. Since we are
now air-conditioned throughout the school district, there should
not be the need for any heat-related early dismissals. However, if
something very unusual happens and there is a need to change our
normal school day, please tune in to the following radio and
television stations: KFAB in Omaha (1110 AM), KNOD in Harlan (105.3
FM), KMA in Shenandoah (960 AM), KMTV in Omaha (Channel 3), WOWT in
Omaha (Channel 6), and KETV in Omaha (Channel 7).
The second annual Charles E. Lakin Outstanding Teacher Awards will
be awarded in November again this year. Teachers and guidance
counselors in the 25 Iowa school districts within 40 miles of
Emerson, Mr. Lakin’s hometown, are eligible for the award.
Underwood is one of those school districts. Two southwest Iowa
educators will receive $10,000 and their school districts will
receive $2,500. The awards emphasize the vital role of teachers in
rural communities and they recognize those who see teaching as a
calling more than just a job. Nominations for this November’s award
winners will be accepted online at www.kmaland.com from September
1, 2009, through October 1, 2009. (The website link for submissions
will not be available until September 1, 2009.) Last year’s award
winners were Wendelin Miller from Malvern and Jeff Schoening from
Treynor.
Parents/guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option
to enroll their child or children in another public school district
in Iowa should be aware of the following information: (1) The last
date for regular open enrollment requests for the 2010-11 school
year will be March 1, 2010; (2) The last date for open enrollment
requests for entering kindergarten students will be September 1,
2010; (3) Parents/guardians of open-enrolled students whose income
falls below 160% of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for
transportation assistance. This may be in the form of actual
transportation or in the form of a cash stipend; and (4)
Parents/guardians should be aware that open enrollment may result
in the loss of athletic eligibility.
Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free or
reduced lunch, the Family Investment Program (FIP), or Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) are eligible to have their student fees
partially or completely waived. In addition, students who are
homeless or whose families are experiencing temporary financial
hardship should contact school officials regarding fee reductions
or fee waivers at the time of registration on Monday, August 3,
2009. A partial or full fee waiver does not carry over from year to
year. It must be updated annually. Also, it is important to note
that the school district annually involves parents in the
development of its Title I plan, the process for the review of its
Title I plan, and the process for the improvement of its Title I
plan. For more information regarding parental involvement in the
development of the school district’s Title I plan, please contact
the elementary principal at 566-2326.
Parents/guardians in the Underwood Community School District have
the right to learn about the following information regarding their
child’s teacher’s qualifications: state licensure status, special
endorsements for grade level/subject area taught, and baccalaureate
or graduate certification or degree. Parents/guardians may request
information from the Office of the Superintendent; Underwood
Community School District; P.O. Box 130; Underwood, Iowa 51576
(Telephone: 712-566-2332).
The Underwood Community School District does not discriminate on
the basis of gender, race, national origin, creed, age, marital
status, sexual orientation, or disability in its educational
programs, activities, or employment practices, or as otherwise
prohibited by statute or regulation. For more information or for
concerns regarding educational programs or activities, please
contact Edward H. Hawks, Equity Coordinator. For more information
or concerns regarding employment practices, please contact Edward
H. Hawks, Superintendent of Schools; Underwood Community School
District; P.O. Box 130; Underwood, Iowa 51576 (Telephone:
712-566-2332).
