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!

Terrace Learning Center currently has openings in our afternoon session for the 24-25 school year! Students who are 4 years old on or before September 15, 2024 are encouraged to register today.

Transforming Learning Challenges into Growth Opportunities

As your child embarks on the journey of growth and discovery, questions and concerns may arise: Is my child ready? Will they make friends? At Terrace Learning Center (TLC), we understand these parental worries and strive to address them with our comprehensive approach to early childhood education.

Begin Your Ankeny Experience:
At TLC, every day is an opportunity for your child to learn and thrive. With a focus on building a strong educational foundation, we invite you to embark on your Ankeny experience with our preschool program.

TLC’s Key Features:
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our unique features:

• Dual Certified Teachers with Iowa Teaching Licenses ensure high-quality instruction for all students.
• Additional adult support in every classroom fosters a nurturing environment for growth.
• A low student-to-adult ratio ensures personalized attention and support.
• As part of the Ankeny School District, TLC offers the benefits of a PK-only building within a larger educational community.
• Our curriculum is research-based, differentiated, and tailored to meet the individual needs of each student.
• A balanced daily schedule provides opportunities for both academic learning and play.

TLC’s Benefits:
Enroll your child at TLC, and enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Free access to outside experiences such as field trips and expert visits, enriching your child’s learning journey.
• QPPS certification ensures that our program meets Iowa’s Quality Preschool Program Standards, guaranteeing excellence in education.
• Parent involvement opportunities through volunteering and PTO engagement foster a sense of community and partnership.
• Your child will develop friendships and social skills, gaining independence along the way.
• With a focus on kindergarten readiness, your child will be well-prepared for their academic journey.
• Access to a new library provides students with additional resources to enhance their learning experience.

Call us to schedule a tour and experience our nurturing environment firsthand.

• Call 515-965-9670. Inquire about how to reserve your child’s spot in our program.
• Register online now to secure your child’s place before spots fill up!

Mission Statement:
At TLC, our mission is to transform learning challenges into growth opportunities, empowering every child to reach their full potential in a supportive and enriching environment. Join us in shaping the future generation of learners and leaders.

Please join us for Preschool Parent Information Night for the 2024-2025 school year in the Terrace gym on Thursday, April 18. Please use entrance W16. The event will take place from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

During your visit, discover more about the Terrace Learning Center and our comprehensive preschool program. You’ll also receive details about our PTO and have the opportunity to take a guided tour of our facilities. We look forward to welcoming you!

Visit the Terrace Learning Center website.

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.

Ankeny Schools is excited to announce the opening of a transitional kindergarten (TK) program for the 2024-2025 school year. This new level is designed to provide students with the time needed to develop essential social and academic skills, acting as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten.

Registration for Transitional Kindergarten will be integrated into the general registration process, commencing on February 2, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Similar to preschool, available space is limited, and acceptance is determined by the time and date of the submitted complete registration. Class sizes will be capped at 20 students per class, and the total number of classrooms will be finalized by the district later in the spring.

For more information please visit the Transitional Kindergarten website page within the Register section. Applicants can expect to receive an email confirmation of classroom placement or waitlist status by the end of March.

Listen to these experts as they explore the creation of a culture of belonging. Discover our commitment to equipping educators with the tools to help students develop essential soft skills. Learn strategies for guiding students through the high school to college transition, emphasizing the importance of early connections and proactive support. They also mention how it is important to focus on student well-being, encouraging self-care practices during study sessions, including water breaks, physical movement, and brain breaks. Uncover how Ankeny fosters these skills from pre-kindergarten, aligning with Ankeny’s graduate profile.

Join Kayla Bell-Consolver, Director of the Counseling Center at Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake University, Shawn Beirman, Social-Emotional Learning Specialist at Ankeny Schools, and Al Neppl, Director of Professional and Leadership Development at Ankeny Schools, in a conversation highlighting the significance of adaptability, empathy, and collaboration for students.

Click here to listen or find us on your favorite podcast app!