With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson…

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The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education Monday night, approved a recommendation by Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein allowing district FFA students to attend the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, this fall. Erik Miller, Agricultural Education Instructor/FFA Advisor, told the board it’s a great opportunity for seven students who are selected to attend the convention to learn and make new friends from around the country. Miller said it’s a good way for the FFA chapter to gain publicity, as well as leadership experience.

The convention is slated to take place October 30^th through November 2^nd. The keynote speaker is University of Louisville Head Basketball Coach Rick Pitino, who will talk about his 10 step motivational process to success. Other speakers include New York City Fire Dept. veteran Joe Torrillo, who was twice buried in the twin tower collapses on 9-11, as he took part in rescue efforts, and, others. Entertainment includes a concert by Country music star Dierks Bentley, a rodeo, hypnotist show and a dance.

Miller says more than 5,000 students are expected to attend the convention, which allows the students to come out of their local group shell, and meet people they might otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet.

Miller says giving students an assignment to collect names of other students from around the country and its territories makes for a good “ice-breaker.” He says usually, the first night of the convention, the kids stick together in the same group they came in, but by the end of the convention, they’ve made new friends and shared experiences. It also gives them “life lessons” on how to stay safe in the big city.

The trip is being paid for through local fundraising efforts, and other sources. It’s the first time in over 10-years students from Atlantic have attended a national FFA convention.

As area schools head back to classes this week, the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council is encouraging local students to BE A FRIEND, Not a bully!    While parents and students should keep in mind that bullying takes place all year, the local Child Abuse Prevention Council is asking for the communities support this week and always in reminding local youth to BE A FRIEND, Not a bully!

Starting a conversation with your child about bullying can be the first step to prevent bullying, and helping them feel supported. Give your child some helpful hints in dealing with bullies, such as the ones listed below.  Suggest that your student look at their actions and how they can affect the feeling of others.  Also, keep in mind that bullying is a legal matter. More information on preventing bullying, or steps to take if your child has been bullied or is bullying others, can be found at http://www.education.com/topic/school-bullying-teasing/  or contact the Prevention Hotline 855-581-8111.

Bullying can be devastating for everyone involved, especially a child.  Bullying can create a feeling of being frightened, angry, and depressed.  Types of bullying may include physical abuse (hitting and pushing), verbal abuse (teasing and calling names), and relationship abuse (rumors/gossip and isolation). 

Ways to stand up for yourself…  (Adapted from HELPGUIDE.org)

-walk away from a bully

-protect yourself against physical abuse

-report the event to a trusted adult and continue to report it until someone      helps.

Ways to BE A FRIEND…

-Be Kind and Compassionate

-Resolve conflicts peacefully

-Focus on positive friendships

-Respect yourself and others

Cass County is a strong community.  It is up to us to protect our children and teach them how to respect their peers and themselves.  Make it a “back to school resolution” to talk to the youth in your life about this important topic, and help kick off the new school year right!

A teenager from Red Oak was arrested late Monday night on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. The arrest of 17-year old Bryan Nathan Gross took place at around 11:30-p.m. at the corner of Center and West Coolbaugh Streets, and was the result of an investigation into an earlier incident. Gross was released to his parents after receiving a citation to appear in Juvenile Court.

A group of area school administrators is coordinating their efforts in an attempt to meet the standards necessary to obtain a grant that could range anywhere from $4-million to $10-million. Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein  announced during Monday evening’s School Board meeting, that he’s been working with Superintendents at the Harlan, CAM, Exira-EHK and Griswold School Districts, to apply for a “Race to the Top” (R2T) grant, which had previously only been available to States.

He said the Dept. of Education has shifted the focus of the race to school districts or consortiums, instead of states. Amstein said the districts are applying for an R2T grant that focuses on Career Tech Education (CTE). He said the hope is that the districts can use the grant monies to build-in some programs not currently offered, and expand on those that are being offered. The districts would apply for a Tier 1 grant.

In order to qualify for a Tier 1 grant, the consortium of districts must have anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 students. Working with the other districts, Amstein says, will enable the group to meet the requirement. He says the Superintendents plan to meet by conference call and/or in-person this Friday afternoon, to file a “Letter of Intent,” to apply for the grant, which he says would be a “Great shot in the arm” for rural Iowa, if the grant is received.

He says they’ll be working hard over the next few months to prepare the grant for consideration. Amstein says he’s excited about the prospects of working with the other school administrators to obtain the funding and focus on CTE programs, which he says is in “Dire need of expansion.”

“Race to the Top” was created in 2009 and designed to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education. It was funded by the Economic Development Recovery Act as part of the 2009 ARRA (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), or economic stimulus package. States were awarded points for satisfying certain educational policies, such as performance-based standards. In May 2012, the Department of Education proposed draft criteria for a district-level Race to the Top program.

Authorities in Montgomery County say no citations were issued following an incident where a dog broke free of its tie out, and attacked a neighboring dog, in Elliott. The incident happened at 411 Linden Street, on Monday. Officials say the dog, owned by Julia Daughtery, broke free of its harness and bit a dog owned by Scott and Beth Peterson. The Peterson’s animal was bitten in several places, causing injury.

The dog returned home and was secured, after Daughtery was notified about the incident. Officials say both parties appeared to have been attempting to comply with the City of Elliott’s dog ordinance, and understanding of liability for injuries to the dog.

No injuries were reported following a minor traffic accident Monday afternoon, in Red Oak. Officials with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office say 84-year old Bruce Burr, of Red Oak, pulled into a residential driveway and had proceeded to back up, in an attempt to turn around, and head the other direction on south 6th Street, when the  SUV he was driving hit a legally parked Chevy Impala. Damage from the mishap, which happened at around 1-p.m., amounted to $2,000. No citations were issued.

Red Oak Police report the arrest this (Tuesday) morning of two individuals. Officials say at around 3:30-a.m., 35-year old Kevin Houchen, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 100 block of West Coolbaugh Street, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Houchin was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond. And, at around 12:50-a.m., officers with the Red Oak P-D arrested 34-year old Doris Ann Ellision, of Red Oak. Ellison was taken into custody in the 700 block of East Washington Street, on a valid Mills County Warrant for Failure to Appear/Contempt of Court. Ellison was turned over to Mills County authorities for transport to the jail in Glenwood.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press …

Officials with the ISU Extension Service in Cass County said today (Monday),  Carroll County native Beth Irlbeck began her work as the Cass County Youth Coordinator on July 22nd.

Beth Irlbeck

Irlbeck met many members of the Cass County 4-H program and the local community during the Cass County Fair, while at the same time learning the ropes for next year’s event. Her position has fulltime responsibility for youth outreach programming and 4-H program management in Cass County. She replaces Susan Oliver, who held the position for the past four and a half years.

Beth is a graduate of Iowa State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in public service and administration in agriculture. She has a strong background as a former member in both the 4-H and FFA programs growing up in Carroll County.

The public is invited to stop by the Cass County Extension Office at 805 W. 10th Street in Atlantic, and welcome Beth to her new position. She is available to answer any questions you may have regarding 4-H and youth programming, as well as providing information on resources available through Iowa State University Extension in Cass County. Beth can also be reached by calling the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132.