We Are Ankeny

Dr. Erick Pruitt invites Carol Eddy, Director of Curriculum and Innovation back to the podcast to talk about the upcoming changes Ankeny Schools is making to the secondary math and computer science curriculum. The goal is to have kids understand they are all "math people" even if it looks different from one student to another. The changes for the 2023-24 academic school year to the Ankeny Schools math and computer science curriculum will provide a clear pathway for students with parent and counselor input - to navigate for successful post graduation plans. 

Let's talk about teacher mentoring. Ankeny strives, and succeeds, as an innovator among school districts that surround the Des Moines Metro. The first suburb to expand to two high schools is now reinventing the traditional professional mentor structure for new and new-to-the-district teachers. 

District mentoring coaches and specialist Elise Jessen, Kim Haack, and Justin Herrick join Ankeny Schools Superintendent, Erick Pruitt to explain how this new strategy and approach will benefit students. As well as how Ankeny teachers are now supported, and the development mentors themselves are experiencing with the new program.   

We're welcoming David Jones, City of Ankeny's City Manager to our podcast. This episode explores the relationship between the district and the city from using school facilities to economic growth and plans. Join us and let's talk about the city of Ankeny.

Robotics. Two teams with the same mission. To win. Our episode brings Hawk and Jag competitors to the table with a common passion. Competitive teams are growing at both high schools. Learn why you don't need to know programming, engineering, or construction to participate. These teens talk no holds barred about why they showed up to their first club meeting, and what brings them back each season. Joining these students is Dr. Pruitt and Ankeny High School's robotic team coach and AHS teacher Jennifer Poole.

Ankeny schools values its community partnerships. This episode brings Ankeny School Foundation President, Kara Hogue, to the studio. Join us as Dr. Pruitt and Ms. Hogue are joined by Ankeny Schools Chief Officer-Jessica Dirks and Heidi Palkovic Community Engagement Manager - Heidi Palkovic as the discuss how community and public schools relationships continue to evolve, future plans and fundraising.  

Iowa winters can bring freezing rain, snow, sub-zero temperatures, and severe winds in a matter of hours. This episode will educate our Ankeny community on what goes into making a decision to keep schools open, delaying the starts, letting students out early, and when it's best just to stay closed. Ankeny Schools pulls back the curtain to show how and why inclement weather decisions are made. Join Dr. Pruitt, Samantha Aukes, Chief of Communications, and Dr. Darin Haack, assistant superintendent of schools, and Let's Talk About... the weather.

This episode brings overdue attention to a great Ankeny Schools resource, our volunteers. Volunteering looks different throughout our district, from parents in the lunchroom, to community members reading in classrooms and high school students prepping materials for teachers.  Jessica Dirks is the Chief of Legal Affairs and Chief of Strategic Initiatives, Heidi Palkovic is the Community Engagement Manager, and Denise Miller joins Dr. Erick Pruitt to introduce the "One-Million Minute" volunteer goal, provide a behind-the-scenes look at how volunteers help our district, and how the safety of students and staff remains a priority. 

Activities, clubs and sports Oh, My! Ankeny High School and Centennial High School started the year with new leadership in the Activities and Athletic (A.D.) offices. New Hawk Director, Adam McDonnell was the former A.D. at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids. The Jaguars' new Director arrived from Valley High School. 

There's a lot to talk about. For the first time since bowling in 2006 the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union is introducing a new sanctioned sport in Iowa - girls' wrestling. The directors also talked about the benefits of starting their positions together, goals of increasing student participation and much more. 

Join Dr. Pruitt, Adam McDonnell, Nate Lingren and Let's talk about... Ankeny Activities and Athletics. 

September 13, 2022, a committee made up of Ankeny parents, community members, and staff began working on the Facility Master Plan (FMP). Co-facilitated by Dr. Darin Haack, an Assistant Superintendent, and RSP & Associates, the district's demographer, the committee completed their first task by drafting financial belief statements. The next meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2022, to discuss academic programming and creating curriculum belief statements.

The Ankeny schools website has a frequently asked questions document, the full presentation slide deck from the meeting, and a link to submit questions about the FMP. Questions will be answered by the FMP committee. 

The facilities master planning process has four desired discussions:
1. Grade-level Configuration
2. Future Facility Needs
3. Boundaries
4. Renovations & Construction

A new school year brings a new administrator, and new projects as principals Dr. Jill Urich and Dr. DJ Johnson share with the Ankeny community in this episode. Bev Kuehn, Executive Director of Secondary Schools at ACSD also joins the panel offering insight into how she and the principals work together to make the transitions from the middle schools a smooth transition.