Ames High Commencement Save the Date(s)
As a district, we are determined to find a way for the Class of 2020 to celebrate its graduation in person. While some districts are opting now to schedule virtual ceremonies, the feedback we have heard from students and families indicates that there continues to be a strong desire to have the celebration in person even if it is delayed. While it will not be possible to have graduation on May 24 as scheduled, we are hopeful that as conditions evolve in the months ahead there may be some easing of restrictions on public gatherings that would allow us to hold a graduation ceremony. To assist families in planning, we have identified several dates that will serve as our target date, as well as back up dates in the event that conditions are not to the point where we can hold a large gathering. We ask that graduates and families please hold both of these dates in their calendar.
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Junior Yuer Zhu named a 2020 All-State Visual Arts Awardee
Ames High junior Yuer Zhu was named a 2020 All-State Visual Arts Awardee by the Art Educators of Iowa and the All-State Visual Art Awards Committee. Zhu’s outstanding portfolio represents the top 20% of applicants across the state of Iowa and she was one of twelve class 4A students to receive this recognition. In a press release, the All-State Committee said, “We appreciate the time and effort it takes to compile a portfolio and complete the submission process. Though we provide the opportunity to recognize students for outstanding work, it is the time, nurture, and support that individual teachers give students with potential that is most significant.”
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The Misplaced Building: Story of Ames High #3
By 1936, the building known as “Old” Central (the 1911 building, aka Ames High #2), had become inadequate. Enrollment was on the rise in Ames and the building was exceeding its capacity. By December of that year, the school district started working with architects and the Ames Planning Commissions to look at designs of buildings and locations for the next Ames High School. The district had land available at the corner of 13th Street and Grand Avenue for the building. With a vote of 4-1, the School Board moved to build Ames High #3 on that property. This vote was unpopular to a group of community members and started one of the most interesting referendums in Ames Public School history.
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Homecoming Game 2020 Moved to Thursday, September 17, 2020
Homecoming is a fall tradition at high schools across the nation and a week-long celebration of school spirit. Next fall, Homecoming Week at Ames High will take place September 14-18 with the homecoming game kicking off on Thursday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m. versus Mason City. This is different than the traditional Friday night football game and there were a lot of variables that helped us arrive at this decision. Next season, Ames High has four home games to choose from. Their first home game is during the first full week of school which is busy by itself. Their third and fourth home games are in October. The potential for colder weather and days getting darker impacts other activities throughout the week. Due to these reasons, our focus moved toward the second home football game in September.
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Ames High Construction Update and Summer Parking 2020
Throughout the winter, construction crews have continued to excavate and pour footings and construct foundation walls at the Ames High construction project. As of the end of February, the foundation walls for the south half of the building were approximately 80% complete and the footings for the south half of the building were approximately 94% complete. Other notable milestones include the geothermal vaults being installed in December after 312 wells were drilled throughout the fall.
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Restorative Practices at Ames Middle School
There is a fundamental unifying hypothesis of restorative practices that states human beings are happier, more cooperative and productive, and more likely to make positive changes in their behavior when those in positions of authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them. This is the shift in mindset that Behavior Specialist Andrew Koshatka and staff at Ames Middle School are introducing to students, staff, and families.
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Thirteen Ames High Seniors Named National Merit Finalists
Thirteen Ames High School seniors have been named finalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) mailed Certificates of Merit to principals across the country, notifying them of the students who have advanced to Finalist standing in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.
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Ames Middle School Art Teacher Cappie Dobyns named 2020 Western Region Middle Level Art Educator Award Winner
The National Art Education Association (NAEA) has named Ames Middle School Art Teacher Cappie Dobyns the 2020 Western Region Middle-Level Art Educator Award winner. This prestigious award, determined through a peer review of nominations, recognizes the exemplary contributions, service, and achievements of an outstanding NAEA member annually at the Regional level within their division. The award will be presented at the NAEA National Convention in Minneapolis, MN, March 26-28, 2020.
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Friday Night Lights: Ames High Coach Vertanen Steps Away from the Sideline After 34 Seasons
After 34 seasons walking the sidelines as an Ames High football coach, Bruce Vertanen announced his retirement from football following the 2019 season. In a letter to his coaching staff, Vertanen said, “It has been one of my greatest joys to be the head football coach at Ames High. I can’t thank you enough for all that you have done to support me, my family, and more importantly our program as a whole. Wins and losses will fade with time but the kids will never forget how you have treated them.”
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Student Advocacy at the Center of new Iowa Core Social Studies Standards
Student advocacy and developing a classroom where students can analyze current events, ask compelling questions, communicate their conclusions and take action is at the heart of new Iowa Core Social Studies standards being implemented at Ames Middle School. This inquiry cycle took center stage when 6th-grade teachers Michelle Andrews, Carissa Danielson, and Shawn Peterson began exploring the continent of Australia.
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