Norwalk Community School District • JUNE 2023

Note from the Superintendent

World Class Schools for Our Students:

Thank You

So many people have asked me if I am excited for my new position as the Executive Director of the Iowa Association of School Boards and I have repeatedly responded that this is a bittersweet time for me. I love the Norwalk Community School District and the students, families and staff members I have had the pleasure to serve.  So it is bittersweet to leave this wonderful district and a job I love while looking forward to the new challenge that awaits me at IASB. I want to start off by thanking Rick Kaul and Maribeth Wright who are the Board Presidents I have had the good fortune of working with during the last seven years. Their leadership inspired me to try my best and lead with heart. A thank you goes out to the other Board members who I have had the honor to serve with including David Albrecht, Justin Fletcher, Michelle Kelly, Brian Rausch and the late Dana Schuemann as wells as student school board representatives Eva Newland, Patrick Foster, Kennedy Burch, Claire Boswell, and Aidan Harder. A simply amazing collection of talented leaders both Board members and student representatives.  


Another group of people I want to thank are all the administrators, deans, student advocates and administrative team members I have served with the past seven years including Chris Basinger, Beth Ward, Jill Anderson, Sheila Taylor, Amy Gage, Tom Scallon, Marla Frantum, Chad Wiedmann, CJ Degen, Sarah Adams, Amy Karg, Chris Larson, Rodney Martinez, Nicole Banegas, Richard Sleeth, Carlos Guerra, Dee Serres, Eric Neessen, Dr. Jody Ratigan, Al Lammers, Brent Collins, Josh Tobey, Zach Lipovac, Tim Geyer, Dawn Schiro, Kate Baldwin, Jake Loll, Alison Wright, Kevin Williamson, and Tiffany Redman.


I would also like to thank the current and past District Office staff members, who have made me look good over the past seven years, including, Lauren Phillips, Kayley Lobberecht, Christie Beving, Shelly Vroegh, Nicole Linderman, Stacey Egli, Chanda Hassett, Linda Norton, Stacy Hildreth, Becky Anthony, Cheri Atherton, Kayla Aguilar, Karla Geyer, Rebecca Campbell, Karen Westbrook, Melissa Lake, the late Teresa Williams, Jenn Rieper, Abby Livingston, Adam Bradley, Officer Brad Criswell, Officer Lily Dunlap, Alysun Archibald, Jamie Lindsay, Jeff Phillips, Zack Cook, Randy Porter, Josh Phillips, Karin Stewart, Tom Mclaughlin (I’m still figuring out everything Tom does for the district), Ryan Alfred, Alex Berndt, Ryan Figland, Bobby Jackson, Vince Raso, Sue Sarnecki, the late Dennis Wayman, Angie Long, Natalie Snyder, Jeff Jenks, Emilie Brown, Emily Watson, Austin Grimm, Erin Higgins, and Tiffany Yacovazzi.


I want to thank all the staff members who have served in teacher leadership roles and on district committees such as Insurance, the Teacher Pay and Compensation Team, the Teacher Quality Committee, the Equal Education Opportunity Team, the School Improvement Advisory Committee and subcommittees, and the Labor Relations Committee. Your leadership has and continues to make our district a great place to learn and work. A special thank you goes to Mary Anne Kessler who has served as the co-chair of the Labor Relations committee and Abby Overton who has served as the NPEA lead negotiator after Andy Mogle retired. 


Thank you to all of the teachers, counselors, teacher librarians, nurses, paraprofessionals and associates, nutrition staff, transportation staff, administrative assistants and secretaries, custodians, behavior specialist,  behavior technicians, and sign language interpreters.  You all make a huge difference in the lives of students and families each day and serve as a main source of my inspiration. 


A final thank you to former superintendent Denny Wulf who was so supportive of me during my transition into our district.  


From the lows of the COVID pandemic to the highs of great daily learning in classrooms, completed construction projects, state championships, successful extra and co curricular events, and so many other moments - I have enjoyed this ride with all of you.  Thank you for putting up with my failures and making any recognition I received on your behalf and on behalf of the district possible.


Thank you all for growing learners and leaders every day! I love you all.


Yours in service,

D.T.

District News & Articles
The Latest News

Aimee Rhode

The Norwalk CSD is pleased to announce that Aimee Rhode has been selected as the next NCSD Director of Student Services. Aimee is currently serving as the Director of Special Education in the Saydel Community School District and brings a wealth of experience to her new position.


Aimee Rhode has served as the Director of Special Education for Saydel Community School District for the past four years. In this position, she has been responsible for overseeing special education programming, section 504, health services, the before and after school program, registration, open enrollment, and bullying/harassment investigations.


Rhode holds a master’s degree in special education from Morningside College and a Pk-12 Principal/Supervisor of Special Education certificate from Viterbo University. She previously served as Director of Special Education at Clarke Community School District and prior to that, she worked for Des Moines Public Schools where she was a special education teacher, special education consultant, and special education lead.



“I am very excited to receive this opportunity to work with the staff, families, and community of Norwalk Community School District,” said Rhode. “I am a strong advocate for children and will continue this work at Norwalk.”


Lakewood Elementary Named a Leader In Me Lighthouse School by FranklinCovey Education

Leadership and Life Skills at Lakewood Elementary School Inspire Young Students to Become Future-Ready Leaders with the Leader in Me Process

 

Norwalk, IA – June 1, 2023 – Lakewood Elementary School in Norwalk, IA has been certified as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School by FranklinCovey Education. This recognition is evidence that the school has produced outstanding results in school and student outcomes, and because of the extraordinary impact the school is having on staff, students, parents, and the greater community.

 

Leader in Me is an evidence-based PK-12 model, developed in partnership with educators, designed to grow leadership skills in students and staff, create a high-trust culture, and help improve academic achievement. This model equips students, educators, and families with the leadership and life skills needed to thrive, adapt, and contribute in a dynamic world.

 

Leader in Me unites students, staff, and families around a common goal to prepare students with college-, career-, and life-readiness skills that are necessary to thrive in today’s ever-changing, fast paced environment. With Leader in Me, students learn to become self-aware, interdependent, take initiative, plan ahead, set and track goals, do their homework, prioritize their time, be considerate of others, communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, find creative solutions, value differences, live a balanced life, and contribute to society.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

2023-2024 STUDENT REGISTRATION- Available Online!

*Fees will be applied to accounts on May 1, 2023

**Early bird student fee discount deadline is June 30, 2023.

By: Jake Loll, Director of Business Services


Registration for 2023-2024 opened on March 1, 2023. An annual registration must be completed for ALL students (returning and new). Parents can register students at www.norwalkschools.org by clicking under “Enrollment”. Parents of students who are new to the district, click on the “New Families” page under “Enrollment”. Parents should register all students that will be returning in 23-24 by logging into their Parent Portal account. Maintaining current and accurate student records is essential to student safety and service.


Norwalk Preschool Pre-Registration is also open! For more information, please visit https://oviatt.norwalkschools.org/preschool-registration/

Attention parents of 2023-24 Oviatt Kindergarteners: It's time to register for a Kindergarten Round-Up session for you and your student! Learning for students and parents/guardians! Sign-up TODAY! http://bit.ly/23-24OviattKinderRoundUp

ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES

Warrior Activities

The Norwalk Warrior Boys Soccer team has advanced to state finals this Saturday, June 3! Championship game time is 4:00 PM on Field 9 at the James Cownie Soccer Complex. Get out and support our Warriors!


Summer is here and our Warrior softball and baseball programs are hot! June hosts a full month of ball that you won't want to miss! All event tickets must be purchased online at https://www.vancoevents.com/us/eventlist/warriors

Team Schedules

Softball

Baseball

Posters Created by: Andy Kreider Photography

Josef Sigrist Named Norwalk Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Norwalk CSD has named Josef Sigrist the next Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach at Norwalk High School, pending approval of the Norwalk School Board.



Coach Sigrist comes to Norwalk with over 20 years of basketball coaching experience which includes assisting Coach Pelzer and the Norwalk boys basketball team this year. Coach Sigrist was the previous head coach of the West Des Moines Valley Girls’ program from 2012-2022, where he compiled a 177-59 record in 10 seasons. The Valley Tigers won 3 CIML conference titles, qualified for the state tournament 6 times, and won 2 state championships (2017, 2019) in those 10 years. His overall coaching record is 200-94 in 12 seasons as a head high school coach. Coach Sigrist has been named IGHSAU District and Region Coach of the Year 4 times, and Iowa State Coach of the Year twice.


Coach Sigrist has taught Algebra for 18 years and currently teaches 6th grade Science at Norwalk Middle School. He has spent his life in schools, helping young kids reach their full potential through hard work. “I love seeing students and players have great success while laughing and having tons of fun.” – Josef Sigrist


Coach Sigrist lives in Norwalk with his wife Jen, and two boys, Grady and Drake. He enjoys coaching and watching his sons play sports. He and his wife enjoy traveling to warm places and golfing.


HUMAN RESOURCES 

JOIN OUR AMAZING TEAM!


NCSD is currently hiring for the 23-24 school year and we want you to be a part of our amazing team! Check out our openings online at norwalkschools.org under the employment section!

VIEW ALL OPENINGS OR APPLY ONLINE

Photos of the Month

2023 Commencement on May 28, 2023 Photo Credits: NCSD Communications

More photos will be posted on the District's Facebook page!


READ: A Senior Farewell Letter by Ruby Hoch, NHS Social Media Intern

Warrior Send-Off: Warrior send-off for longtime educator and principal Jill Anderson who is retiring at the end of the school year! Students lined the hallways at Lakewood, Norwalk Middle School and Norwalk High School last week to cheer her on!


Photo Credits: NHS Photography Class


District Links

23-24 Calendar

Employment

Athletics & Activities

Nutrition

Contact

REMINDER: NO JULY DISTRICT NEWSLETTER. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER WARRIORS!


NEW LINK: 23-24 NORWALK CSD SCHOOL CALENDAR

NORWALK EASTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Join us for our Summer Kick-Off Party on Saturday, June 3rd from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the library and City Park! This free, all ages event will feature a foam cannon, bounce houses, craft stations, yard games, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and free popcorn. The Tropical Sno truck and D' Ice Cream Man truck will be selling shaved ice treats, ice cream, State Fair mini donuts, & jumbo pretzels too. Visit with our mascot Scribbles inside the library and get your Summer Reading log to get the party started!

SHOE LOVE FORM
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