School News

Courtesy of the the Ida County Courier - www.idacountycourier.com

Students, staff greeted with building, technology improvements

Area school officials report they are nearly ready for classes to resume and highlight some changes students will experience on the first day of school.

Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek-Ida Grove students return to class Tuesday, Aug. 20.

O-A/BC-IG 

In the August newsletter O-A/BC-IG Superintendent Dr. Nick Ouelette said, “Over the past couple of months, members of the district staff in coordination with private contractors have been working to continually improve the educational environment for our kids and staff. We have had a multitude of building improvement projects completed this summer, as well as the transition to the 1:1 initiative.”

Building projects include new ceilings and lights in the BC-IG and O-A Elementary buildings, completion of phase two of the elementary playground project in Ida Grove and creating more usable outdoor space for both the school and the community.

“We have installed a new PA system in the O-A building, as well as geothermal in several more classrooms and the multipurpose room. The addition to the BC-IG Elementary will house a new media center, computer lab, art room and music room. On top of the structural improvements, we are also upgrading the wireless network at the BC-IG Elementary to accommodate the additional technology in the classrooms,” said Ouelette.

Other improvements at BC-IG Elementary include new perimeter fencing around the outdoor play area, a new fire sprinkling system and the addition of 25 parking spaces. At O-A, improvements include additional perimeter fencing at the outdoor play area, moving the main office closer to the front doors and replacing the front doors. Visitors to the Odebolt building will need to come in through the new main office after 8:30 a. m.

“At the high school, we are replacing the front main doors of the building and implementing a buzz-in system for entry into the building after 8:30 a. m. The elementary in Ida Grove will get additional security upgrades to the front entrance to have visitors enter through the main office after 8:30 a. m. Our goal with all the facility upgrades is to provide the best and most safe learning environment we can for all kids,” said Ouelette.

In addition to the facility projects, O-A/BC-IG is implementing new K-12 math curriculum aligned with the common core and will transition to a 1:1 computing environment this fall.

Effective July 1, Kathy Leonard started as the shared business manager for both districts. Her office hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Ida Grove central office and Wednesdays at the Odebolt building.

Students at O-A/BC-IG will see new faces. New staff at the high school includes Kate Bergmeier-Beyke, art; Liz Dent, guidance counselor; Erik Eisele, Spanish; Kariann Jurgensen, language arts; Lynzie Riesz, special education; Tasha Tromp, high school secretary; Rachel Stroberl, ag/ FFA; and Jeff Miesner, physical education.

Other new staff includes Sonya Sherrill at the central office; Julie Weeda, technology integration and innovation; Alicia Nelson, curriculum director/TAG; Doug Mogensen, O-A Elementary and O-A/BC-IG Middle School principal.

New elementary staff at the BC-IG Elementary includes Cassie Reimers, kindergarten; Ashley Wulf, special education; Michele Spotts, Title I; and Chelsey Beason, first grade. O-A Elementary will welcome several new teachers: Jody Peterson, second grade; Brittany Carlson, third grade; Courtney Larson, fourth grade; Brett Benson, fifth grade; and Lucas Wilding, physical education.

Middle school staff changes are Melissa Jensen, elementary/ middle school TAG; Katelyn Spindler, elementary/middle school art; and Brittany Boerhave, middle school reading.