Amana Elementary
Newsletter
No truer words have ever been spoken!
IT IS NICE TO BE BACK! I say it every year, and every year I mean it, but Monday, August 24th, around 7:45 a.m. when I started seeing those young faces (through masks/shields) it really hit home how much I’ve missed working with young people. HUGE shoutout to CCA’s tireless administration team, Tim Kuehl (Superintendent), Matt Leeman (Associate Superintendent), Barb Hunt (Director of Special Services), Angi Hoyer (Director of Curriculum), Maury Gallagher (Director of Buildings and Grounds) Laurie Haman (Director of Communications )and Nurse Kathy Campbell (second to COVID knowledge only to Dr. Fauci). I can’t imagine any of them ever worked fewer than 60 hours a week since March 13th (the day that will forever live in infamy). Even when they took a vacation, they were always returning calls and emails. Sincere thank you to those seven and of course my principal and assistant principal friends who have devoted a great deal of time in their making sure our students are well cared for, safe, and educated.
Big shout out to the school board as well. There has not been one easy decision to make that doesn’t somehow have a positive AND negative impact on how we do our work. They too have worked tirelessly (did I mention they do it for free?) and may not always agree with each other (and that’s how boards are supposed to operate) each one of them does have the best interest of our students, families, and communities. IT’S NOT BEEN EASY FOR ANY OF US (anyone, anywhere, to differing degrees and hardships). But we are truly in this together. And to that, I say, no truer words have been spoken.
If you are new to Amana, this Friday Note portion is a time I take to try and update you all on some of the great things (and there are a LOT) at AES and/or District-wide. I am likely to get on a rant of some kind, and today will be no different. No longer will I use the words, new normal. It is what it is. We CAN’T control events. We CAN control our response which in turn we CAN control the outcomes.
I’m heading into my 21st year in education. Days can crawl but time does fly. I am graced beyond measure to be able to serve this community of learners. AES is a special place, we get told that over and over. I of course am biased. Typically I encourage people to stop in, visit, say hello, check out the artwork/student work throughout the building. Alas, that is just not possible at this time. So I do invite you to call, email or text. I have gotten really good at virtual meetings (Zoom and Google) so I would be MORE than happy to visit in the virtual world if interested.
Have a great weekend. More to come as we navigate this year together. Stay active in your child’s education and always take time to READ!
WE ARE AMANA!
Ben Macumber, Principal
BackPack Program
Through a partnership between HACAP and the CCA Community School District we are able to offer families a weekend food BackPack Program. The BackPack Program provides a small food bag of kid-friendly, non-perishable snacks for children each Friday and during school breaks. This is a FREE program, with no specific requirements that families must meet. It is also kept completely confidential – only the counselor will be aware of participating families. If the BackPack Program would be helpful for you and your children, please contact your building counselor or social worker.
Kelsey Koffend, Amana Elementary Counselor
Amana Elementaty
benmacumber@ccaschools.org
319-622-3255
Email: colleenconrad@ccaschools.org
Website: https://www.ccaschools.org/AE
Location: 3023 220th Trail, Middle Amana, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 622-3255