Ames Today

Washington Iowa Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Nov. 12.

The Washington Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Washington class headed back to school on Wednesday, November 10 as they learned about the multiple educational facilities and opportunities in the Washington community.

Leaders Nicole Peterson, Jordan Hesseltine and Jim Lester coordinated the group as they started their day at Kirkwood Washington County Regional Center where Director Tera Pickens explained the multiple courses and programming provided by the Center to both the community as well as Washington County high school students. The presentation included hearing from four dual enrolled high school students, who explained their successes in balancing their high school education along with taking college level courses at Kirkwood. In addition, class members had the opportunity to try their hand at virtual welding and a friendly competition of virtual painting.

Washington Community School District Superintendent Willie Stone welcomed the group, briefly talking about the district’s recently successful bond issue. Members of the Kirkwood Regional Alternative Program also explained their alternative school program and how it benefits their individual needs, with students telling of their success in the program.

The class then moved to the Washington Public Library where they heard from new Library Director Cary Siegfried on the many educational opportunities afforded to patrons of the local library, including many online educational tools.

School district principals provided tours of Lincoln Elementary, Washington High School, Washington Middle School and Stewart Elementary, learning about several of the new district-wide initiatives focused on improving the lives of their students and addressing the individual needs of each student.

Students at St. James Elementary allowed the group to join in their afternoon prayer and the group was led on a tour by Principal Rebecca Clarahan.

The group ended their day with a tour led by Dave Hoffman at WCDC and watched a video about the history of the facility and the services provided in filling the need for adult daycare and rehab.

Original source can be found here.