Announcements

    Register for our 2022 Jag Camp today!

We are beyond excited to welcome incoming sixth graders to our annual Jag Camp on August 12th starting at 9:00 AM!          Registration is $35 and includes a t-shirt, activities, and a family picnic catered by Hy-Vee.

By attending Jag Camp, your student will…
1. Meet other students from Ashland Ridge, Northeast, Northwest,
Rock Creek, and Westwood
2. Meet Prairie Ridge staff members
3. Participate in team activities
4. Acclimate to a new building
Schedule for Jag Camp
8:30-9:00 Check In
9:00-9:20 Keynote Speakers
9:25-11:45 Activity Rotations
11:45-12:05 Closing
12:10-1:00 Family Picnic

Registration is OPEN now. Please log in to TouchBase (https://ia-ankeny.intouchreceipting.com/) to
register your incoming 6th grader. A screenshot with step-by-step visual instructions is attached
below. If you have any further questions, please call 515-965-9705 or email Kathleen Steffen at
kathleen.steffen@ankenyschools.org.

Welcome Summer!!! Our office will have reduced hours over summer to serve you. You may also reach us by phone at 515-965-9705 or by emailing pr.office@ankenyschools.org

The annual Law Day celebration was held on Monday, May 2 and was presented by the Polk County Bar Association. Law Day has been celebrated on or around May 1 since 1958 when President Dwight Eisenhower signed the proclamation declaring it a day to celebrate and strengthen the American heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law. The Polk County Bar Association partners with ARAG each year to give Polk County area students a chance to get creative with the law as part of our annual Law Day celebration. Students in grades K through 12 are invited to compete in the visual arts, music, essay and poetry categories.

This year’s theme was “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change.” Numerous Ankeny students from across the district won awards and are mentioned below.

High School Poetry Competition
Emma Smith, Centennial High School
2nd place

High School Essay Competition
Elizabeth Deng, Centennial High School
1st place

Finn Stukerjurgen, Southview Middle School
3rd place

High School Visual Arts Competition
Josie Bishop, Northview Middle School
2nd place

High School Technology Competition
Noah Yeager, Ankeny High School
1st place

Middle School Technology Competition
Aakansha Ganesh, Prairie Ridge Middle School
1st place

Middle School Performing Arts Competition
Lauren Boka, Katelyn Henzi, Camryn Johnson, Abigail Willardson, Cathy Owusu-Awkye, Josefina Willkom, Maia Bredice, Kaley Swanson and Sydney Heithoff, Northview Middle School
1st place

Middle School Poetry Competition
Rosie Howieson, Northview Middle School
1st place

Middle School Essay Competition
Kalyani Bhat, Northview Middle School
1st place

Harrison Jansen, Northview Middle School
2nd place

Martha Willard, Prairie Ridge Middle School
3rd place

Middle School Visual Arts Competition
Hollin Hansen, Southview Middle School
1st place

Eve Russell, Prairie Ridge Middle School
2nd place

Jamie Miara, Lauren Harmon, Ava Barten, Marleigh Munger and Mabelle Way, Northview Middle School
3rd place (tie)

Elementary School Poster Competition
Ainsley Schnurr, Ashland Ridge Elementary
1st place

Jillian Tournier, Ashland Ridge Elementary
2nd place

Thomas Dunne, Northeast Elementary
3rd place

Elementary School Visual Arts Competition
Brinley Feuerbach, Ashland Ridge Elementary
1st place

Jillian Moses and Siena Peddicord, Northeast Elementary
2nd place

Stella Heither and Lia Meyer, Ashland Ridge Elementary
3rd place

Elementary School Coloring Competition
Camryn Taxted, Prairie Trail Elementary
1st place

Elle Evans, Prairie Trail Elementary
2nd place

Kyla Leach, Prairie Trail Elementary
3rd place

Elementary School Essay Competition
Brynlee Moeller, Southeast Elementary
1st place

Elementary School Poetry Competition
Clayton Gardner, Prairie Trail Elementary
1st place

Elementary School Technology Competition
Chatham Beck, Ashland Ridge Elementary
1st place

Madeline Lynch, Northeast Elementary
2nd place

Kaitlyn French, Ashland Ridge Elementary
3rd place

Save time and money by purchasing your 22-23 school year supply kits. Each kit is only $25.  6th and 7th grade kits are the same. Use our School ID: PRA123

6/7 School Supplies

When: Monday, May 9th, 6-8pm

Where: Northview Middle School, 1302 North Ankeny Boulevard

What: Join us for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Family Night! This event will help ESOL families to learn more about the district and available community resources. Please bring your child’s Chromebook. Dinner will be provided.

Jason Aker has been selected to become the Principal of Prairie Ridge Middle School, pending board approval, beginning July 1, 2022. Jason’s many years of educational experience and robust leadership qualities are a winning combination to lead Prairie Ridge Middle School.

“I am extremely excited to have been selected as the next principal of Prairie Ridge Middle School. I look forward to partnering with students, staff, and families to continue the positive relationships, rigorous learning, and the incredible environment that encourages students to celebrate their unique strengths,” noted Mr. Aker. “The opportunity to work with teachers and staff to continue building a school culture that’s purpose is student-centered and ensures a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all is an honor.”

Jason is currently the principal at Baxter Elementary School in the Baxter Community School District. He has been an educator for 26 years, serving in various roles including science and biology teacher, instructional coach, and many years of coaching football, wrestling, and girls track.

Mr. Aker received a B.A. in Biology from Warton College, a Teaching Endorsement from Iowa State University, and a Masters in PK-12 Principal/Supervisor of Special Education from Viterbo University.

Jason will officially begin as principal July 1, but he will be in the district periodically prior to that time to collaborate with staff and administrators toward a smooth transition.

All year long, our school librarians create activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in a student’s educational career. April is School Library Month and we would like you to join us in celebrating the dedication of our library staff throughout the district!

Our students, teachers, and staff are so grateful for your knowledge and support. We encourage you to take a moment today to say a special thank you by visiting our digital Thank You page, add your message, and hit submit to deliver your appreciation to your building’s library staff!

The Ankeny Community School District would like to recognize all that assistant and associate principals that have persevered amid the pandemic and considered what their ever-expanding and evolving role might look like moving forward. Through it all, our AP’s have demonstrated unwavering leadership—becoming a source of strength and inspiration for us all. If ever there was a time to express how much your AP means to you and your school community, this is it. Visit our Thank You page, add your message, and hit submit to deliver to their inbox—it’s that easy!

Ankeny Centennial High School – Adam Busch, JD Hunter

Ankeny High School – Kelsie Goodman, Wade Grinhaug

Northview Middle School (8-9) – Caleb Hales, Cameron Wendt

Southview Middle School (8-9) – Nicole Kuhns, Chris Novak

Prairie Ridge Middle School (6-7) – Andrea Bruns, Kathleen Steffen

Parkview Middle School (6-7) – Ben Huebsch, Emily Rash

We are excited to host the future 6th grade Parent Orientation meeting at PRMS on Tuesday May 3rd. Orientation will include a presentation from administration and an opportunity for families to explore the building through a scavenger hunt. Please pick the scheduling option that works best for you.

Option 1-

Presentation: 4:30-5:15

Family Scavenger Hunt: 5:15-6:00

Option 2-

Presentation: 6:00-6:45

Family Scavenger Hunt: 6:45-7:30

Please contact the main office at 515-965-9705 with questions or email us at pr.office@ankenyschools.org

Today we would like to say we appreciate our paraprofessionals! This day is celebrated the first Wednesday every April in order to raise awareness about the important work of paraprofessionals in our schools. This includes teaching associates, special education associates, media center associates, and classroom assistants. Thank you to our multi-tasking rockstars for working with our students and making a difference in their lives!