Month: August 2024

Luther College invites the public to join the college in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in September. The college is sponsoring a trip to Latino Fest in Rochester, Minn.; a keynote talk by a renowned scholar of Hispanic culture, Adele Lozano; as well as film and music that celebrate Hispanic heritage.

Women represent Nicaragua at the Latino Fest in Rochester, Minn. Photo courtesy of ACHLA

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Luther’s Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support (CIES) has planned a trip to Latino Fest in Rochester, Minn. Participants will enjoy food, exhibits, dancing and culture. Luther is providing transportation to the event, which is scheduled for 12–6 p.m. Luther students will be prioritized; community members can join if space is available. Contact CIES at cies@luther.edu to sign up. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 7–8:30 p.m., in Olin 102, Hispanic Heritage Month speaker Adele Lozano, Ph.D., will delve into the rich tapestry of Hispanic culture, sharing her extensive knowledge and personal experiences. Lozano, who recently taught at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, is a renowned scholar and advocate. Her talk will cover the significant contributions of the Hispanic community to society and the importance of cultural awareness and advocacy. 

“Dr. Lozano has a wealth of knowledge about the experiences and identity development of Latinx/a/o and Hispanic students, ethnic cultural centers on campus and building a sense of belonging for students,” said Michelle Boike, assistant dean and director of CIES. 

On Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6–8 p.m., in Valders 206, the monthly movie night will feature the 2021 musical drama In the Heights. Set in the Dominican community of Washington Heights, New York City, this film is based on the stage musical of the same name by Lin-Manuel Miranda and by Quiara Alegría Hudes.  

On Friday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m., in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall, the Center Stage Series presents Nella. Born in Venezuela, Nella was a recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music when she won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist. Her style is a rich blend of her native country’s folklore, the sounds of her generation, and influences from Spain’s Andalusia region. This presentation is sponsored by Emplify. Tickets are available at tickets.luther.edu or by calling the Luther Ticket Office at 563-387-1357.

Hispanic Heritage Month is the first in a series of planned cultural celebrations for 2024-25 at Luther College.  “In the United States, cultural heritage months and observations play a vital role in breaking down barriers, building bridges of understanding and preserving the rich cultural heritage that enhances the fabric of our community as well as intersects with other identities,” said Robert Clay, chief equity and inclusion officer and assistant to the president for community engagement. “By providing programming during cultural heritage months and observations institutionally, it promotes the inclusivity, collaboration and intersectionality needed to foster a sense of belonging for all.”  

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In-person absentee voting is now available for registered voters who reside within the Decorah Community School District ahead of the local election on Tuesday, September, 10, 2024.

Ballots can be cast at the Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office, which is located on the second floor of the Winneshiek County Courthouse at 201 W. Main St., in Decorah. The auditor’s office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A valid ID is required.

Registered voters may also request a mailed absentee ballot by completing a request form and returning it to the auditor’s office. The deadline to submit this request is August 26. Ballots must be received by the county auditor’s office before the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on September 10 to be considered for counting.

The polls will be open on election day, September 10, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. A valid ID will be needed to cast a ballot. Polling locations can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx.

Voters will see two measures on the September 10 ballot. The first asks voters to consider renewing Decorah CSD’s Revenue Purpose Statement through 2051, allowing the district to continue using state revenue from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund.

The second measure asks voters to consider raising the district’s debt levy limit from $2.70 to $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

These measures are precursors to the general election on Tuesday, November 5, when voters will be asked to consider approving a $38 million general obligation bond for the construction of a new PK-2 facility that would replace John Cline Elementary School and West Side Early Education Center.

The estimated tax impact of an approved debt levy limit increase and a general obligation bond is $0.86 per $1,000 of taxable property value per year. For a home with a value of $250,000, the monthly tax impact would be approximately $7.96.

West Side opened in 1939 and John Cline followed in 1964. These schools present a variety of challenges that no longer make either facility conducive to 21st century learning, including inadequate HVAC systems, deteriorating roofs, playground drainage problems, and outdated structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. Both schools also lack the configuration needed for effective security measures, and they also have insufficient classroom and storage space.

For more information, please visit www.decorahcsdfuture.org.

The Decorah Community School District is hosting two separate types of events to address the facility challenges at John Cline Elementary School and West Side Early Childhood Center, as well as the upcoming bond referendum.

First, there will be two open house events on August 21 and August 28 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at both schools. These open houses are hands-on opportunities for residents to tour the facilities, speak with current and former district staff, and gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges the schools present.

In addition, the district is holding two community forums focused on sharing the work of the facility committee and their recommendation to build a new elementary school. These forums will provide detailed explanations of the upcoming elections on September 10 and November 5. The community forums will take place in the Decorah High School auditorium on September 5 at 5:30 p.m. and September 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Voters will consider three ballot measures related to the proposed project. If approved, these measures will support the construction of a new elementary school for students in grades PK-2, replacing the aging John Cline and West Side buildings.

“We encourage all residents to attend one of these events and learn more about the facility challenges our students, teachers, and staff members face on a daily basis,” said Superintendent Dr. Tim Cronin. “The elections in September and November are an opportunity to provide our youngest learners with the educational environment and resources necessary for their success.”

On September 10, voters will consider renewing the district’s Revenue Purpose Statement through 2051, allowing Decorah CSD to continue using state revenue from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund. Additionally, voters will decide whether to authorize the district to levy up to $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable property value for debt service.

The November 5 election will ask voters to consider a general obligation bond measure, which, if passed, will fund the construction of a new elementary school. The bond amount will not exceed $38 million.

If these measures are approved in September and November, the projected impact on property taxes would be an increase of $0.86 per year on every $1,000 of taxable property value, or approximately $7.96 per month for a home valued at $250,000.

John Cline, which opened in 1964, and West Side, built in 1939, face significant issues including outdated structural, mechanical, and electrical systems; inadequate HVAC systems; deteriorating roofs; and playground drainage problems. Both schools also lack configuration needed for effective security measures, along with insufficient classroom and storage space.

For more information, please visit www.decorahcsdfuture.org.

The Decorah Community School District is proud to welcome seven new teachers and nine new paraprofessionals.  The new teachers include Heidi Snell-Anderson (5th Science), Sarah Kowitz (Middle School Orchestra), Chris Hadley (Middle School Band), Matthew Steven (Carrie Lee Elementary School Counselor), Alaina Otto (4th Grade), Alyssa Marso (High School Business), and Bretta Schwartz (MS Special Education).

Serving as new paraeducators for the district include Stephanie Radloff, Lycia Jens, Robert Johanningmeier, Kendra Smorstad, Tatianna Woods, Payten Hardy, Mhari Pitts,

Ale Halse, and Rick DeLaRosa.

New Faculty Photo ID (L-R):

Heidi Snell-Anderson (5th Science), Sarah Kowitz (Middle School Orchestra), Chris Hadley (Middle School Band), Matthew Steven (Carrie Lee Elementary School Counselor), Alaina Otto (4th Grade), Alyssa Marso (High School Business), Bretta Schwartz (Middle School Special Education)

New Paras Photo ID (L-R):

Stephanie Radloff, Lycia Jens, Robert Johanningmeier, Kendra Smorstad, Tatianna Woods, Payten Hardy, Mhari Pitts, Ale Halse. Missing from photo: Rick DeLaRosa

Lucas Arendt, Connor Evelsizer, Gabriel Hiner, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, and Anders Lovstuen–all members of the DHS class of 2024– earned a trip to Geneva, New York, in late July to represent Iowa in Envirothon international competition. This was the second year in a row this same team of five young men scored the highest in Iowa and traveled to the NCF-Envirothon Annual Competition. Winning teams from 50 states, provinces, and countries gathered in Geneva, vying for top honors.

The Envirothon is a five-member team competition for high school students testing their knowledge of natural resources. Whether in the field or classroom, students are challenged to use their knowledge and critical thinking skills to conduct hands-on investigations, solve real-life scenarios, and answer written questions covering five categories: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a current environmental issue. This year, students focused on the current issue topic of “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future.”

Decorah finished in a very respectful 13th place, improving from a 19th place finish last year in New Brunswick. The experience proved invaluable as far as team bonding, meeting students from around the world, and making memories. During the week in New York, all students also traveled to wondrous Niagara Falls for viewing and getting wet on the “Maid of the Mist” and the “Wind Cave.”

Allysen Lovstuen served the team as an invaluable assistant advisor. Without her help and guidance, keeping everyone on a tight schedule would have been much more difficult. As an added bonus, Lovstuen kept the families back in Decorah supplied with daily updates and photos. She also proved to be a first-class navigator to and from the drive to New York.

After last year’s air transportation problems, activities director Adam Riley made it possible for the team to travel to New York via school van. Driving allowed the team the opportunity to visit Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Lake Erie, and awesome “Grand Canyon of the West”–Letchworth State Park in New York.

Very generous contributions were made to the program from the State Envirothon, Smithfield Foods, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Barb Schroeder and the Winneshiek County Conservation Board, Marc Nichols, and Kevin and Leslie Sand. Advisor Larry Berland remarked, “We are very grateful to all of our sponsors and for all of the positive support from the Envirothon family and friends.”  Berland added, “I cannot express adequately how much I enjoy working with the Envirothon students. The number of total participants and their results indicate an awesome display on the part of our Decorah students with regard to awareness and concern of the natural environment. Living in this community is advantageous for these students because so many residents model excellent stewardship of their surroundings. A big thank you goes out to all of the administrators and faculty in the district who have helped develop these fine students. The students’ success is directly proportional to their never-ending efforts.”

Assistant Advisor Allysen Lovstuen, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Gabriel Hiner, Advisor Larry Berland, Anders Lovstuen, Connor Evelsizer, and Lucas Arendt

Front row: Allysen Lovstuen, Anders Lovstuen, Gabriel Hiner
Back row: Lucas Arendt, Connor Evelsizer, Aidan Nalean-Carlson