We Are Ankeny

Madisen Gaskin, Community Engagement Specialist for Ankeny Schools hosts Ankeny Schools staff, Leah Clark - Social Worker, Erin Van Dorin - Associate Principal BEYOND & Summit High School programs, and Shawn Beirman - Social Emotional Learning Specialist on this podcast to discuss what led to opening Ankeny's school-based food pantries in partnership with the Food Bank of Iowa.

It's another student takeover. 6th graders Ella, CeCi, and Lucy have questions for Dr. Pruitt and they want answers. Testing their investigative reporter skills, these ladies don't shy away from the hard-hitting questions from "Do you decide if there's a snow day?" to "What's it like being a girl dad?". Tune in to a special student takeover of We Are Ankeny.

This is the first of a special topic series we're introducing this season. The topic is Restorative Practice and your host is Shawn Beirman, Social Emotional Specialist for Ankeny Schools. In this episode, Shawn introduces you to restorative practices and three theories that ACSD focuses on in educating administrators and teachers including Social Emotional Window, Fair Process Act, and Affects. 

Not many people know what a Community Engagement department does, but Madisen Gaskin, Community Engagement Coordinator for Ankeny Schools, and her team have big plans to change that. Madisen is at the mic with Dr. Pruitt talking about how volunteers contribute to schools and the district overall, developing new community education classes and how the term intergenerational is integral to the Community Engagement purpose and goals.

Their experience is the Ankeny Experience! Teachers new to the Ankeny District, Mariah Hoium at Prairie Trail Elementary, Nick Robinson at Centennial High School, and Mary Stewart at Southeast Elementary, share their hopes, expectations, and plans for the 24-25 school year with superintendent Dr. Eric Pruitt on the We Are Ankeny podcast. Listen Here or find our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or Audible. 

The second Student Takeover of Season 4 features host Miles, Xavier, Maddie, and Lou, as they talk about moving from buildings (7th to 8th grade) and becoming high school 9th graders. You can also listen to We Are Ankeny Podcasts on Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and Apple Podcast. 

Ankeny High seniors Charles Christensen and Griffen Nye turn the microphones on and interview ACSD Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Darin Haack. Music is the topic so sit back and join in on song recommendations, album critiques, and favorite confessions. 

It's a podcast takeover by Ankeny Centennial graduated senior Mya Maronn. She's invited student entrepreneurs Logan Sobaski, Charli Brady, and Emma Bececk. Hear advice on pitfalls to avoid, pushing boundaries, and pursuing interests for the under-18 entrepreneur. 

Burnt ends are on the menu today as the Ankeny Schools' Nutritional Services team launches the 2024 Summer Food Program. Director of Nutrition Services Scott Litchfield, Chef Joe Weitz, and Dietitian Susan Carlson have a lot to discuss and celebrate about this summer and plans for the 2024-25 school meal programs. For more information visit the Nutrition Services page on the AnkenySchools.org website. 

Parkview Middle School student, Miles, has taken over the "Let's Talk About It" podcast! He takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of Parkview's 2024 spring play Goldilocks on Trial. Miles (actor) with fellow Parkview student Avery (set designer & builder), and Ms. Alexa Long (teacher sponsor and producer) talk about the process of bringing the play to life and how more students can get involved.