Wolf Pack News

Hello! We are glad you are here reading the Wolf Pack News! This publication will come out throughout the school year to inform stakeholders of what is happening in the IKM-Manning School District. Feedback is always welcome and can be directed to Rachel Merkel, School Communications, at rmerkel@ikm-manning.k12.ia.us

IKM-Manning Families,

I want to remind everyone that WINTER IS COMING. Please make sure you have plans B, C and D in place if/when we have to have late starts, early dismissals or no school because of the weather. Please remember that our district covers a ton of area, so your street might look fine but someone else on the other side of the district may be unable to get out of their driveway. I will make the best decision given the information I have, and the only thing I can guarantee is that I am human and will call school someday when we could have had it. Additionally, as parents, you always have the final say on if you want your child to be on snowy roads. All we ask is you let us know if your child won't be here--because we do worry and some days we worry A LOT!

Weather related announcements will be communicated through text messages, app notifications, Facebook, and local radio stations. The IKM-Manning CSD app can be found in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at ahuseman@ikm-manning.k12.ia.us

Thank you,

Dr. Angela Huseman, IKM-Manning Superintendent

Irwin Elementary is excited to announce a fun new way to celebrate great attendance! Starting in October, the grade with the highest monthly attendance will win a special grade-level reward. For October, 2nd grade enjoyed an extra recess which was a well-deserved break full of fun, laughter and fresh air!

Students who miss 0-1 days of school in a month will also get to join in something extra special. For November, the reward is a glow stick dance party—a chance to dance and celebrate their dedication to showing up to school!

On Sunday, November 17, 14 students were welcomed into the IKM-Manning chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). Founded in 1921, NHS recognizes students who exemplify excellence in academics, leadership, character, and service. These new inductees join six senior members, continuing the tradition of excellence within the organization. This year, NHS is guided by its new advisor, Mrs. Amy Rohe. Congratulations to all the inductees on this well-deserved achievement!

Each year, Iowa releases the School Performance Profiles for public schools statewide, evaluating factors like attendance, test scores, and post-secondary readiness. We’re excited to share that IKM-Manning Elementary and Middle School earned a High Performing rating, while the high school achieved a Commendable rating, just shy of High Performing. This reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and communities. Congratulations to all!

Progress continues on the Construction Trades house in the new Stadium View addition west of the school in Manning. Thanks to a partnership with Manning Municipal Utilities, this hands-on program became a reality. Each morning, students work on the house under the guidance of instructor Pete Croghan. Recently, the roof was completed, and as temperatures drop, work will shift indoors. It’s exciting to see students gaining practical, lifelong skills through this experience.

Meet Alice, one of this year’s foreign exchange students at IKM-Manning! Alice is joining us from Brazil and is staying with Scott and Julie Hodne. She has embraced her new home with open arms and has enjoyed spending time with her new extended host family, including her host cousins, Jaz and Max Miller, who also attend IKM-Manning.

Alice has been making the most of her experience here by jumping into a variety of activities, including volleyball, basketball cheerleading, the musical, and band. She shares that life in the U.S. is just like the movies she’s watched back home—full of excitement and activity! Alice has been amazed by the many school events and enjoys being a part of them in her free time. Alice is considering coming back to the United States for college once she has finished up high school We’re thrilled to have her as part of the IKM-Manning family! In our next newsletter, we will feature Alicia, our other foreign exchange student.

Safe+Sound Iowa is a free anonymous school threat reporting tool for all public and accredited non-public schools across the state provided by the Governor’s School Safety Bureau and the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Students, school staff, parents and community members can submit school safety concerns anonymously using the Safe+Sound Iowa mobile app, website or toll-free tip line. We are currently in the process of educating all of our 4th-12th graders on this tool again. You can find a link to the website directly from the homepage of our school website. Please talk to your student about how important it is that if you see or hear something that doesn't seem right, to report it to a trusted adult or to Safe + Sound Iowa. To learn more about this program, visit Safe + Sound Iowa.

Work on the new addition continues, with 33% of the project completed as of November 18. Representatives of the project spoke at the November board meeting and said the project is going well. Work on the exterior is on hold until after the new year, and walls are being framed on the interior of the building. The administration has met with project managers regarding the new space's finishes, colors, and furniture. The proposed plan is to have the project completed in August 2025. To see the floor plan and renderings, visit http://tinyurl.com/4htt9h62.

Exciting updates are happening in our school kitchens! Improvements began over the summer, and with the onboarding of our new food service director, Ryan Meier, the district invested in improvements to better serve our students and staff. Upgrades include a brand-new dishwasher and refrigerator in Irwin, serving warmers in both buildings, tilt skillets, and new salad bars. All equipment was purchased to enhance efficiency, safety, and meal quality. These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to providing the best for our school community.

For a couple of years, starting a parent/teacher organization (PTO) at IKM-Manning has been on our long-term list of goals. Thanks to elementary parent Karly Burmeister for stepping up to the challenge, this goal has become a reality!

The newly-formed PTO is all about teaming up to support our amazing school, teachers, staff, and students. Even though it’s just getting started, the organization is already making plans! They've raised funds for a special Thanksgiving surprise for staff and have some festive plans for Christmas treats, too!

Want to get involved or stay in the loop? Follow the IKM-Manning PTO on Facebook (@IKM-Manning PTO) or Instagram (@ikmmanningpto). Join the fun and help make a difference!

Students can now take their learner permit test at school through the "Skip the Trip" program, a partnership between IKM-Manning and the Iowa DOT. This convenient option allows students to test in a comfortable, familiar setting with staff they know. If a student doesn’t pass, they can retake the test the next day. Once they pass, they’ll need to visit the courthouse with the proper paperwork to complete the process and officially become a driver.

Interested students should visit the middle school office to complete a form and schedule their test as early as the next day with a school secretary or Mrs. Merkel.

🌟 Support the FCCLA Fundraiser! 🌟
🛍️ Order by December 15!

Help kickstart our FCCLA chapter while giving back to the community!
For every two packs of socks sold, one pair will be donated to those in need. Plus, 50% of proceeds go to supporting our group's programs and activities.

📅 Don’t miss the deadline—shop now and make an impact!

Order at https://go.wehelptwo.com/campaign/?campaignid=32567

Now through December 13, The Manilla Times will give money back to the Middle School Student Council for each subscription or renewal. This money is used for fun and educational activities at school including Homecoming, Hallowscream and Veterans Day. Contact the school or a student council member if you are interested in a subscription or renewal.

Did you know that IKM-Manning has an app? If you are looking to get notifications and announcements from the district, download the app for free from the App Store or Google Play.

Email: rmerkel@ikm-manning.k12.ia.us
Website: www.ikm-manning.k12.ia.us
Location: 209 10th Street, Manning, IA, USA
Phone: (712) 655-3771
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ikmmanningschools