Announcements

A prescribed (controlled) burn of the District’s prairie grasses will be executed this spring. The DNR recommends a burn every three years to maintain prairie grasses. District staff conducting burns have been trained and certified in prescribed burns.

Ankeny Schools will be having Spring Break beginning on Friday, March 11th and the following week.  School will resume as usual on Monday, March 21st.

The Ankeny Community School District is pleased to announce Mr. Ben Huebsch as the new principal for Parkview Middle School. Mr. Huebsch is currently the Associate Principal at Parkview. Mr. Huebsch has served in a number of leadership roles for the Ankeny Community School District over the past nine years including as an administrator at Northview Middle School, Summit, and Parkview Middle School.

During the selection process, parents, students, staff, and administrators on the selection committee were able to ask questions and give feedback on finalists. Several noted that Mr. Huebsch’s experience with building a strong culture and working collaboratively with families to support student success would serve as a key asset for the building. His focus on the individual student experience and work to ensure all students feel safe and welcomed demonstrated his commitment to the success of each student at Parkview Middle School.

“From the first time I joined the staff at Parkview, I have loved this school and the people who come to learn and grow within it,” said Huebsch. “I am both grateful and excited for this opportunity, and I look forward to partnering with the students, staff, and families to maintain what is great about our school and find ways to make it even better!” 

Mr. Huebsch’s nearly 20 years in education includes experience working in all capacities of a middle school as an instructor, improvement specialist, and an associate principal. Mr Huebsch is a proven instructional leader and community organizer. In addition to his roles within the school community, he was the cofounder of Engage Ankeny that connects local nonprofits with volunteers, donors, and residents in need.

Huebsch holds a Bachelor of Science in Middle/Secondary Education from the University of Kansas, a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas, and a Masters of School Leadership from Baker University.

Ben and his wife, Kelsey, have four children, including three daughters, , and a son,  .

Mr. Huebsch will officially begin his duties July 1 but will collaborate with staff toward a smooth transition. He will take the reins of Parkview Middle School from Mr. Jeff Schumacher, who is retiring this year.

Parkview’s LEAD Council students are having a “Collection Challenge” Feb. 28-Mar.  8th between the homerooms.  The items are for families in need.  Items they are collecting include: Deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brushes please no travel size items) as well as black or navy colored pants for children of all ages.  Please have your child bring the items to their homeroom teacher.  Thank you so much for helping!

March: In Like A Lamb, Out Like A …?

As we are enjoying this unseasonable balmy first day of March here are some important dates to remember.

• February 28 – March 3rd: Parent/Teacher Conferences
• March 11th: No School
• March 14-18: No School/Spring Break

View our parent calendar for more.

We are excited to launch the process of re-imagining our graduate profile! This document will work together with our strategic plan and equity framework to help chart a path for the district’s future. Please view this short survey to provide feedback on our graduate profile.

Seventh grade parents and students please plan to attend the 8th Grade Future Readiness Meeting and Activities Fair on Monday, February 28th at Southview Middle School.  School counselors and principals will present information about course options, what your child’s potential schedule could look like, and what to expect for the upcoming school year.

The Activities Fair will introduce our future 8th grade students to the activities, clubs and sports Southview offers at the 8th grade level.  

The last name letters and times are listed below.

•  Last Name A-L:   6:30-7:00   8th Grade Meeting (Lunchroom)
•  Last Name M-Z:  6:30-7:00   Activity Fair (Gym)
•  Last Name A-L    7:00-7:30   Activity Fair (Gym)
•  Last Name M-Z:  7:00-7:30   8th Grade Meeting (Lunchroom)

 We look forward to seeing you at Southview on Monday, February 28th.

Southview School Counselors

Angela Luttenegger (A-G) angela.luttenegger@ankenyschools.org

Michael Allen (H – O) Michael.allen@ankenyschools.org 

Nicole Wee (P – Z) Nicole.wee@ankenyschools.org

Spring conference sign-up will begin on Friday, February 18 and will run until Sunday, February 27. Conferences will take place on the following dates:

• Tuesday, March 1
• Thursday, March 3
• Monday, March 7
• Tuesday, March 8

Conferences will be held in your child’s homeroom classroom with your child’s homeroom teacher representing the entire core academic team. Please look for an email from your child’s homeroom teacher starting Monday, February 14 which will state the times your child’s teacher is available on the scheduled dates and also how and where to go to sign up for a conference.