Actor John Cusack is crossing the nation to showcase his catalog of films with screenings followed by Q&A sessions “Grosse Pointe Blank” and “Say Anything” are on the docket in other cities the actor makes a stop in the Des Moines metro to show “High Fidelity,” his 2000 cult-hit classic rom-com that served as a love letter to music and ex-girlfriends The movie just marked its 25th anniversary Cusack plans to be at Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy. in Waukee to show the movie and talk to the audience afterward The actor has starred in 80-plus films during his four decades of work specializing in coming-of-age films at the start of his career “Sixteen Candles,” “Better Off Dead,” “The Sure Thing,” “Stand by Me” and “Say Anything” launched his career in the 1980s He later turned to dramatic roles with “Grosse Pointe Blank,” “The Grifters,” “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and “Being John Malkovich.” The film is based on a novel by author Nick Hornby about Rob who owns a record store and looks back on his failed relationships after his girlfriend leaves him and reaches out to exes to find out what he could have done better "High Fidelity" takes place in a record store in Chicago which inspires a soundtrack of 57 songs from the Velvet Underground all reflecting Rob's eclectic taste in vinyl and Catherine Zeta-Jones all appear in the film Bruce Springsteen makes a cameo appearance More: Review: Zoe Kravitz's 'High Fidelity' remake is the brilliant modern love story we need The screening of "High Fidelity" will be followed by a Q&A with Cusack Let’s give a round of applause for our April 2025 Making a Difference Nominees These staff and students have been recognized for representing the Waukee CSD core values and going above and beyond to support each other Brad Buck and HR Manager Maggie Holton made surprise visits to read the nominations out loud Any staff member who wants to nominate a colleague or student may do so on the District intranet scroll down on the homepage until you see the green Making a Difference banner The form will be open for the 2024-25 school year until May 9 Students may ask their teachers to help them submit a nomination WAUKESHA — A Milwaukee man has been charged after he allegedly pulled the trigger on an unloaded gun he sought to buy from a stranger who declined to sell it at a park-and-ride lot near Naga-Waukee Park last week was charged Monday in Waukesha County Circuit Court with one count each of felony bail jumping for allegedly committing a new crime while another matter is pending negligent handling of a weapon and theft-special facts and faces more than 22 years in prison if convicted He was ordered held on $7,500 cash bail and is to appear in court again May 7 A criminal complaint said a man reported to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department on Friday that he went to the park-and-ride near Naga-Waukee Park on Thursday to clear his head carrying in the console of his car a Smith and Wesson handgun belonging to his uncle The man reported a subject identified as Washington approached him and asked to use a phone charger when Washington began looking through the console The man told him the gun wasn't his to sell and it was not for sale at which point Washington "pointed the firearm at him and told him he would ‘beat his (expletive)’ and then pulled the trigger while the gun was pointed directly at him," the complaint said Washington got out of the car and continued to threaten the man But the man realized Washington left his phone in a cup holder and refused to give the phone back unless Washington returned the gun led a deputy to where Washington’s phone was hidden in the parking lot of an area business When a deputy looked up the number and called it A witness reported being at the park-and-ride to pick up Washington and saw him in an argument with someone A deputy spoke with another person who said a man he knew as "Cino" came to his apartment with the first witness and "Cino" told him "he just took a gun off someone," but didn’t say if he’d stole it or borrowed it Washington also is charged in 2024 cases in Waukesha County accusing him of possessing pepper spray and threatening a law enforcement officer; those cases remain pending 10 things to know this week from the WOW counties (Waukesha Ozaukee and Washington) sent on Sundays Get the latest Waukesha County news delivered every day so you don't miss out on updates Have Waukesha County breaking news alerts sent to your inbox as they happen At 12:54 p.m. on Wednesday, a vehicle was stopped at Michigan Avenue and Grandview Boulevard for a stop sign violation. The driver a… Read moreWaukesha police blotter: April 30-May 1, 20225 Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Registration opens for the first summer swim lessons at the Waukee CSD Natatorium at 7 a.m It will only be open to Waukee CSD families until April 15 This summer session includes a variety of two-week courses running from June through mid-July Learn More Button Waukee CSD families must create an account and add their students to receive the reduced swimming lesson rate and register for summer swim lessons on March 25 The Waukee CSD Natatorium is part of the SwimAmerica swim lessons program The program has ten stations and is for students of all abilities Parents do not enroll students for specific stations All students will be evaluated during the start of the first class to determine their current skill level The locker rooms are available for students old enough to change by themselves Children who need assistance changing must use the lobby restrooms An adult must be available to assist young students who need help using the restroom please contact Aquatics Director Bobby Kelley at rkelley@waukeeschools.org After 26 years of dedicated service as activities director in the Waukee Community School District — 22 years at Waukee High School and the last four at Waukee Northwest — Jim Duea is retiring Duea helped build one of the most successful activity programs in the state — all while navigating rapid growth as the District doubled in size “Watching Waukee (as one school) grow to be the largest high school in Iowa is more than I ever imagined when I started in June of 1999 The first graduation I attended had around 100 students,” Duea reflected These accomplishments reflect Duea’s commitment to student-athletes and his ability to maintain a high standard of excellence across various sports and activities Duea took on the role of activities director at Waukee Northwest High School when the school opened in 2021 Duea has already made a significant impact Duea played a pivotal role in the opening of Northwest High School helping shape it into a strong addition to the District’s legacy “Being part of the planning of Northwest High School and overseeing the activities program for four years has been a great ending to my career in Waukee,“ Duea said he has positioned the school’s athletic and fine arts programs for continued success Jim Duea’s leadership has shaped the Waukee community for almost 3 decades and his career has impacted the lives of countless Waukee CSD students many of whom went on to play collegiate sports after graduation His influence extended beyond sports  — under his guidance Duea oversaw a well-rounded array of student opportunities: Duea reflected on a standout moment from his time as Activities Director “There have been so many great memories during my time as Activities Director but I’d say my favorite was standing in Wells Fargo Arena at the 2023 state semifinal boys basketball game between Northwest and Waukee knowing that the packed arena was filled with the Waukee community,” Duea said His commitment to competitive sports programs and student success has set a high standard His influence will be felt long after his retirement Waukee CSD will offer a wrap-around child care program for preschoolers — Little Learners Club It is only for students who will be 4 years old by Sept Families must complete the first part of preschool enrollment by submitting the required documents before registering for Little Learners Club Enroll in Waukee CSD Preschool Through this offering we are committed to creating a supportive and enriching environment where your child can develop the skills and curiosity needed for kindergarten and beyond Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in our new child care program! Registration was held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2025, and all our available spots are filled for the 2025-26 school year. Our child care staff is contacting families to confirm Little Learners Club enrollment status. Those who are still interested may add their name to the waitlist in RevTrak Little Learners Club will only offer full-time coverage Our program will not be available for drop-ins or short-time use There will not be nap time for children at Little Learners Club Enrollment will be through RevTrak by following these directions. Little Learners Club will require a separate enrollment from Waukee Community School District Preschool registration Please look through our directions to enroll in Little Learners Club. On Feb. 3 at 9 a.m., registration begins via RevTrak please create your account on RevTrak before Feb Once you begin enrollment in Little Learners Club (You don’t have to hurry through to the end and hit submit.) You have 90 minutes to complete the process once you’ve started so please fill out the materials completely you will not receive any additional email confirmations Our child care staff will contact you within 72 hours to verify your enrollment status with our Little Learners Club Please email Jennifer Sampers at jsampers@waukeeschools.org to make us aware of the situation There is no reduced fee option for Little Learners Club. We will accept children who qualify for child care assistance through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services only Children can be dropped off from 7-8:30 a.m There will not be care before then during the summer of 2025 Our staff is working on 2026 summer care plans which will be available to students attending transitional kindergarten or kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year Little Learners Club FAQ engaging environment where children can build essential skills To ensure readiness for your child’s next big steps below is an overview of how we apply curriculum to meet the standards and benchmarks We emphasize the importance of social skills by providing daily opportunities for your child to interact with peers in meaningful ways These experiences help them navigate social dynamics and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our community Music in our program offers a joyful avenue for self-expression while enhancing language and auditory skills and memory your child will explore the creative and cognitive benefits of music Art activities balance structure guidance with open-ended exploration giving your child the tools to express their creativity and build fine motor skills Through varied activities Our science curriculum harnesses children’s natural curiosity with hands-on experiments and sensory-filled activities Our teachers encourage children to connect with their environment and develop an awareness of the world around them In supporting language and reading development we recognize that each child progresses at a unique pace By offering an array of engaging and developmentally appropriate experiences we stimulate children’s interest in reading and a love for learning We make math tangible and fun through hands-on activities including manipulatives your child will build confidence in their ability to engage with mathematical concepts in both small and large group settings We prioritize the development of both fine and gross motor skills through a variety of engaging activities These activities not only enhance physical abilities but also contribute to emotional well-being and social interaction as we strive to include these developmental moments every day We integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into our daily activities that foster understanding of their feelings joins us for focused lessons on key SEL skills giving the children extra tools to grow their confidence and navigate challenges Questions? Contact Andrea Wilmes at awilmes@waukeeschools.org Waukee Community School District announced it will begin offering transitional kindergarten (TK) in the 2025-26 school year TK is a program for children of kindergarten age who would benefit from an additional year of school With smaller class sizes and an adjusted pace TK provides an opportunity for students to work on readiness skills before entering kindergarten “Oftentimes parents will stop me and ask ‘Do you think I should hold my child at home one more year?’ And I always say ‘If you’re thinking about not starting them in kindergarten it never hurts to wait a year.'” said Superintendent Dr ‘We have a program just for your child and that program is transitional kindergarten.'” Transitional kindergarten will be five full days a week and located in the District’s elementary schools TK students are eligible for the District’s before and after-school care as well as transportation just like other kindergarten students The TK program will follow the same daily schedule and school year calendar as the elementary classes The program is open to students who will be five years old on Sept Those students with summer birthdays may be especially interested; however TK is open to any kindergarten-age student who would benefit from a program that bridges the gap between preschool and kindergarten TK will be part of the outstanding Waukee CSD education which means TK learners will have the same welcoming and creative classroom experiences as other students “We’re proud to say our District has excellent teachers and a focus on meeting the learning needs of every child As you think about choosing transitional kindergarten your child will be able to experience all the wonderful things that are part of the Waukee Community School District,” Dr Enrollment opens on Jan. 14, and families are asked to enroll as soon as possible so the District can determine TK locations. For more information, visit the TK enrollment webpage, or watch the recording from our virtual parent information session A new school opening next year brings exciting leadership changes With North Middle School set to open in the fall and school building adjustments being finalized we’re welcoming new leaders and seeing some familiar faces transition into new roles “I’m pleased to announce these new hires for the 2025-26 school year,” Superintendent Dr “These additions reflect the continued growth of our District; our commitment to providing support and meeting the needs of our students and staff; and the reorganization of roles with the upcoming opening of North Middle School it’s essential to have strong leadership throughout our District.” “As we welcome these new leaders to their roles and passion for education will have a positive impact Their experience and skills will be valuable as we navigate the changes and opportunities ahead,” Dr With the opening of North Middle School — which will welcome 6th-8th grade students — Trailridge will become the 9th grade school for  Northwest High School Prairieview will become the 9th grade school for Waukee High School and Timberline School will be a 6th-8th grade school Here are the leadership teams you’ll see in each school for the 2025-26 school year As we prepare for the next school year, we also have job openings for teachers Waukee Community School District is announcing updated start and end times for grades 6-12 These adjustments are the result of a thoughtful districtwide process that included input from staff and administrators “We appreciate the ongoing partnership of our Waukee CSD families as we continue to grow and adapt to better serve our students,” said Dr “While we recognize that any change requires adjustment we worked to find a solution that best met our goals while minimizing disruption to families and students.” If you have questions about the new bell schedule please reach out to your child’s school principal or the District Office Waukee High School is excited to host the State Large Group Speech Contest for the Southwest division onFeb welcoming 87 schools and over 450 entries throughout the day That includes more than 40 performances by students from Northwest High School A $5 suggested donation will be collected at the door to help support the event IHSSA LG State Speech State Contest Schedule We’re celebrating the incredible 2025 Waukee CSD retirees — individuals whose passion and dedication have left a lasting mark on our District and the community Join us in honoring them at the Retiree Reception on Tuesday at the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center Jim DueaNorthwest High SchoolActivities Director Pam GehrlsDistrict Office/Waukee High SchoolBookkeeper Joni GilchristWalnut Hills ElementaryTeacher Barry Hagelberg (not pictured)OperationsElectrician Marsha JacobsonDistrict OfficePayroll Coordinator Cheryl KahlerMaple Grove ElementaryAssociate Debbie KastantinSouth Middle SchoolAssociate Stacie McEniryNorthwest High SchoolTeacher Jil SchneiderWaukee ElementaryInstructional Mentor Christine TaylorShuler ElementaryTeacher Librarian Waukee Community School District is offering transitional kindergarten (TK) for the 2025-26 school year TK is a program for children who are of kindergarten age but would benefit from an additional year of school to prepare for kindergarten It gives children additional space and time to further develop the necessary social and academic skills TK meets five full days a week and follows the same school year calendar as our kindergarten students Students will be introduced to kindergarten-level math and social-emotional standards at an appropriate pace to develop their readiness skills Students will also have “specials” (art There are many reasons you might choose to enroll your child in TK rather than kindergarten Those students with summer birthdays may often benefit from additional time but any student who is five years of age on Sept 15 during the year of enrollment will be eligible We recommend you consider the academic and social-emotional development of your child alongside their previous learning experiences Your child’s preschool teacher may also have input for you as you consider the best option for your child and reporting activities will be applied the same way in TK as in all other kindergarten classrooms TK promotes self-confidence and independence in students and spends more time on social-emotional and purposeful play activities For more information, see our transitional kindergarten FAQ or watch the recording from our virtual parent information session We are still enrolling TK students for the 2025-26 school year although placement will be based on classroom availability and may not be at your neighborhood school Students who attend TK outside of their neighborhood school will be provided a shuttle from their neighborhood school to their TK school and back at the end of the day All students will attend their board-approved neighborhood school beginning in kindergarten If your child is currently enrolled in preschool at the Vince Meyer Learning Center, you do not need to re-submit these required forms to the District. However, please email enrollment@waukeeschools.org to let us know that you would like to enroll your child in transitional kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year All elementary buildings will host an Intro to Kindergarten night in the weeks or months before the start of the school year This event is for parents/guardians to receive school information while incoming TK and kindergarten students do an activity It also provides a chance to meet other kindergarten families Keep an eye on your school’s social media page for additional information You can now begin turning in the required documents to the District Office at 560 SE University Avenue for the 2025-26 school year! There is a black drop box in the parking lot if you drop papers off after hours, or you can scan and attach documents (no photos or images, please) in an email to enrollment@waukeeschools.org You must send ALL documents together — we cannot accept the paperwork until it’s complete required online form to fill out to complete your enrollment process We’ll send the form to the email address on the cover sheet document with a code The form will collect further information about your child and it’s important to fill it out promptly If you submit your enrollment paperwork after April you’ll receive the code to complete your online enrollment in your email roughly 48 hours later enrollment@waukeeschools.org The Iowa Department of Transportation will be closing eastbound Interstate 80 west of Des Moines for overnight construction Drivers traveling on eastbound I-80 between Grand Prairie Parkway and the West Mixmaster will encounter closed lanes starting April 27 and will need a detour Overnight closures will begin on April 27 and continue nightly until the early morning hours on April 30 More: Two ramps on I-80/I-35 will close until August. What's the detour? Eastbound I-80 between Grand Prairie Parkway (exit 118) and the West Mixmaster will be closed while crews work to shift lanes ahead of bridge and pavement work Access to I-80 from Jordan Creek Parkway will also be unavailable at this time West Des Moines will also have eastbound University Avenue between Jordan Creek Parkway and 50th Street closed during this time Drivers will follow a marked detour route by exiting at Grand Prairie Parkway (exit 118) before turning back west on Univesity Avenue and using the interchange to return to I-80/I-35 (exit 124) Drivers wanting to reach Interstate 235 can instead head south on 50th Street and connect to I-235 there More: Road work will close parts of West Des Moines' Jordan Creek Parkway overnight for weeks The Iowa DOT reminds drivers to be aware of speed limits noting that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR but we’re already planning for the 2025-26 school year Returning student enrollment begins this week You will receive an email with a link to complete your student’s online enrollment on the date assigned to your feeder: The enrollment portal will remain open until the process is complete. However, we kindly ask that you enroll as soon as possible to help our District plan for next year. For more information, check out a detailed FAQ on our website As we approach the final stretch of this school year and look ahead to a new one I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude Thank you for choosing Waukee and for being such an important part of our vibrant Whether you’re attending your very first Intro to Kindergarten Night or preparing your senior for graduation we’re honored that your family is part of our District We look forward to continuing the journey in 2025-26 we announced updated start and end times for the next school year: These changes were necessary to add more time between secondary and elementary routes, improve transportation efficiency, and accommodate our new transitional kindergarten program. For more details, visit the website Our students had a strong showing at the state conferences for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Waukee HOSA won the Chapter Cup and defended its title in the HOSA Bowl while Northwest FBLA was named a Gold Chapter and student Anisha Choudhary was elected as the Iowa FBLA district vice president Meet Cody, Brittney, and Britany, three Waukee CSD associates who are not only supporting students, they’re working toward becoming licensed teachers. Learn about their unique paths to Waukee CSD — from selling cars to managing offices — and see how they’re making an impact in the classroom Congrats to the following: Katy Blatnick-Gagne Iowa FBLA Administrator of the Year and Iowa FCCLA Distinguished Service Award; Anne Boesen Iowa HOSA Chapter Advisor of the Year; and Mindi Heitland ACTE Brightpath Work-Based Learning Professional of the Year Our kindergarteners at Maple Grove Elementary brought big smiles and even bigger energy for the camera! Watch the short video and encourage others to join in the fun. If you know a family with a future kindergartener, spread the word that we’re now enrolling for the 2025-26 school year First graders at Walnut Hills Elementary are combining technology and kindness to promote a food drive for WayPoint Resources. Students used apps like Keynote and ChatterKid to create promotional videos for social media. Check out the videos on the Walnut Hills Facebook page and support the food drive before Friday Our student handbooks and School Board policies outline important expectations and procedures to maintain a secure and supportive learning environment We encourage all families to review these documents regularly to stay informed Parent Quick Links For more news, stories, and updates, follow @WaukeeCSD on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Waukee CSD Non-Discrimination Policy prom is a highly anticipated event — but for some the financial burden of attending can be a significant barrier ensuring all students have access to formal attire without the financial strain The idea for Kee Boutique was sparked when Waukee High School counselor Beth Streit noticed that some of her students were hesitant about attending prom and they told me they weren’t going to prom,” Streit says “I was shocked because I thought they would love an event like that they told me the cost was the biggest obstacle That’s when I started thinking of ways to make school dances more accessible for all students without putting financial stress on their families.” This passion for helping students led to the creation of Kee Boutique a resource where students can find donated dresses The Waukee community has responded with strong support donating a variety of formalwear in Kee Boutique’s first year “I really didn’t think we would get this many donations so quickly,” Streit says Stacy’s Bridal has donated so many dresses and we’re so pleased to have so many options for our students to choose from.” For the students benefiting from Kee Boutique the impact goes far beyond just finding something to wear I focus on serving the whole student — not just their academics but their well-being too,” Streit explains and be able to attend events just like their peers I just love having a little tiny part in making that happen.“ Students from both Waukee High School and Northwest High School can shop at Kee Boutique contact Beth Streit at astreit@waukeeschools.org get ready to experience a new-to-Iowa burger and an array of side not always found at a fast-casual restaurant Wayback Burgers offers a nostalgic décor with retro touches opens in September and marks the first location in Iowa never frozen burger patties in a variety of toppings options including the Cheeeesy with four slices of melted cheese topping two patties and served on an inverted bun Wayback Gold Sauce combines barbecue sauce and mustard Wayback also offers milkshakes made with Blue Bunny ice cream More: Who has Iowa's Best Burger? The 2024 winner comes from central Iowa The 1,972 square-foot Wayback Burgers in Waukee will feature a nostalgic feel with a counter lined with red stools reminiscent of a soda shop Diners can watch the staff work in the kitchen enveloped in glass More: Love a good burger? Here's where to find some of the best in the Des Moines metro Wayback Burgers currently operates in 35 states with more than 170 locations nationally and internationally in Brunei For a taste of Wayback Burgers before it opens More: Fast-casual chicken arrives in Waukee with Hawaiian plate lunches on the way Contact: waybackburgers.com All elementary buildings will host an Intro to Kindergarten night before the start of the school year This event is designed exclusively for new TK and kindergarten students and their families to instill confidence and excitement as they begin their school journey Here is a list of the events at all 11 Waukee CSD elementary buildings Waukee voters decided Tuesday to sell the city's natural gas utility system to MidAmerican Energy Co Of the 1,814 people whose votes were tallied on Tuesday according to unofficial results posted by the Dallas County Auditor's Office Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke told the Register she expected the sale would be approved but she still thanked everyone who took the time to become informed and vote The Waukee City Council selected in February for MidAmerican to be the city gas system's buyer for almost $19 million Waukee is the only city in the metro that operates its own gas utility and one of only 51 in the state The system serves more than 10,000 customer accounts and owns and operates more than 175 miles of gas mains But city officials have said they can no longer offer competitive rates and some residents have complained about higher bills Waukee City Administrator Brad Deets previously told the Register that Waukee's rates have been 20% to 50% higher than in neighboring communities That can mean the difference of anywhere from $15 to $40 on a homeowner's bill based on what Deets said of his own family's recent bill and another resident's bill the Register reviewed The city's website showed a $23 savings in February 2025 for MidAmerican's monthly rate compared to Waukee's The savings over time with MidAmerican's rate was only projected to grow to being $37 less than the city's projected rate in February 2031 What happens next?The Iowa Utilities Commission still needs to approve the sale Clarke said the city has to finish drafting the purchase agreement first before the sale proposal goes in front of the commission this summer Until the sale may be approved by the commission Clarke said customers won't notice any changes in billing or service MidAmerican would be expected to take control of the city's gas system by the end of the year control operations and send instructions to account holders about setting up new accounts and making payments Deets has previously said the city staff who operate the gas system — five people in Public Works and another three who handle billing — will still work for the city in large part because Waukee's growth keeps them needed in other roles The city's website noted that if the sale is approved by the Iowa Utilities Commission the mayor and City Council will decide what to do with the proceeds from the sale "They work on strategic planning each year to look carefully at the needs and opportunities for Waukee and would look at where these funds can bring the most benefit to our community," according to the website Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com or on X at @pslifeisabeauty. Find out more about him online through the Register's staff directory It’s time to complete 2025-26 returning student enrollment to plan for another year of discovery As you complete your online enrollment form remember why so many families Choose Waukee: Our District is committed to empowering every learner and creating experiences that inspire success Let’s make this school year another one to remember — together we ask families to re-enroll each of their students by submitting an online form This helps us organize our staff appropriately to meet the needs of our District Please complete your online enrollment as soon as you are able once it lands in your inbox Important note: Enrollment forms are sent based on the school your child will attend in the 2025-26 school year Families will receive an email from our District team via PowerSchool at <noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com>. To confirm which email you have on file, log in to your PowerSchool account and look for the Primary Email field at the top of the screen That’s the address where the returning student enrollment form is sent Check your spam or junk folder if the email doesn’t appear in your inbox Reach out to your student’s school or contact our District Office enrollment team if you need to change your email address How can I reset my online Powerschool Registration password When you get the email to complete your returning student registration please click “Forgot Password” below the sign-in This will send an email to the email associated with your online registration account Take a look in your spam or junk folders — sometimes it ends up there please contact your school secretary for assistance the password you used for PowerSchool Registration may differ from the password to access the PowerSchool student information system Why do I only have one of my children’s enrollment forms in my email inbox one or more registration emails may go directly to your spam/junk folder What should I do if my address is incorrect on my child’s online registration Please complete a change of address form with the Waukee CSD District Office enrollment team. You can find the form and learn more on our website Where can I turn in my child’s updated medical documents Review this student health requirements guide for preschool through 12th grade so you’re prepared to meet requirements as your child grows You may bring any forms during the District-wide Open House Night on August 21. Or, submit the items within 60 days of the start of school to your school nurse You can register for busing while filling out your returning student enrollment. If something changes after you submit your form, no worries! You can use the transportation request form on our website to update your selections. The 2025-26 transportation request form will be available on our website in July If you sign up for busing and end up not needing it at any point during the school year which can be used for other student purposes Fees will be processed for families to pay shortly after the 2025-26 school year begins (early fall). You’ll get instructions by email once your fees are ready for payment. Learn more on our website When can I sign up for free and reduced meals All families will get an email in July when it’s time to apply for free and reduced meals for the 2025-26 school year. Please do NOT apply until July. Learn more on our website When do class schedules get released Schedules will be released in PowerSchool in mid-August You’ll get additional information from your child’s school via email When will I learn who my child’s teacher is Teacher assignments will be released in PowerSchool in mid-August A few elementary schools also send a letter in the mail If you have questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to contact the enrollment team at the District Office by calling 515-987-5161 or emailing enrollment@waukeeschools.org You may also stop by 560 SE University Ave Fifteen Waukee CSD seniors have been named 2025 National Merit finalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program All finalists were first dubbed semifinalists earlier this school year the students and a high school official submitted a detailed scholarship application providing information about academic records participation in school and community activities The student must also have an outstanding academic record throughout high school be endorsed and recommended by a high school official and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm earlier performance on the qualifying test The organization says about half of the nation’s finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship Merit Scholars are selected based on their skills and potential for success in their college studies Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April Students from Waukee High School, Northwest High School, and Timberline School earned top awards at the Iowa HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) State Leadership Conference. The Waukee HOSA chapter won the Chapter Cup which is awarded to the top chapter out of 23 participating schools The team also defended its title in the HOSA Bowl a fast-paced quiz competition covering healthcare The winning team included Sana Kauser and Satvika Anbukumar of Waukee High School and Medha Mandumula and Atiksh Hood of Northwest High School Several students also placed in individual and team events competing among more than 250 participants statewide Anatomy & PhysiologyRicardo Baquero: Silver Anatomy & PhysiologyVishruth Pinna: Bronze Medical ReadingAnanyaa Shiv Shanker: Bronze HOSA BowlSierra Pradhan: Barbara James Service Award and Sritha Devarapu were named to the 2025-26 Iowa HOSA State Executive Council Maryum Khan served on the 2024-25 council as vice president of marketing A massive new neighborhood in Waukee that would include a new City Hall and public library a lake and a full 18-hole Sugar Creek Golf Course may take decades to complete But early-stage development plans for Waukee's new civic campus and surrounding area — an estimated $400 million project not including the cost of private development and spread out over 20 to 30 years of construction — showed the potential for what Mayor Courtney Clarke said would be an "energetic active neighborhood" that would serve the city for decades more Clarke said it may be seven to 10 years until there are any buildings at the site — a 220-acre area stretching from University Avenue in the north to 310th Street in the south and from U Avenue in the west to Sixth Street in the east And Clarke said it may be from 12 to 15 years until Sugar Creek Golf Course is fully expanded from nine to 18 holes The construction timeline included in the project's master plan stretches to 2039 and is divided into three phases The master plan describes the project as a "proactive response to the city’s rapid growth and increasing demand for civic services and amenities By addressing immediate needs while anticipating future challenges the plan ensures that Waukee remains a thriving and cohesive community." the project's master plan proposes a variety of features for housing and recreation: It's too early to say how many residential or commercial units there might be City spokesperson Heather Behrens said what's been released about the civic campus neighborhood is a general concept with "much more planning to come." Designers visited multiple similar sites in Kansas City and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Here are estimates of some of the associated expenses for the civic campus neighborhood: mixed-use and residential projects in the neighborhood also could generate funding for the rest of the project What's next?Behrens said the Waukee City Council is expected to adopt the master plan Monday Associated road projects are part of the city's capital improvement plan that will be up for approval with the city's budget But the road projects will still have further council approval and council members will need to decide on which aspects of the civic campus master plan to first focus on How would the civic campus fit in with the rest of Waukee?Behrens told the Register officials are not looking at the civic campus neighborhood as a new downtown but a distinctive neighborhood that will complement and draw people to the city's Downtown Triangle And a developer has been working to complete a two-story office and retail space on the site of two former buildings downtown Behrens said it had not yet been determined whether a new library would be in addition to the city's existing library at 950 Warrior Lane or if it would become the city's only facility Your child is entering a school district that prides itself on being student-centered and committed to partnering with parents to ensure a positive school experience for everyone Kindergarten is their first real experience with responsibility Kindergarten enrollment is open to children who will be five years old on or before September 15 of the enrolling school year They also learn how to get along with others and participate in electives such as art Student fee waivers: Wanting to reduce or waive fees A current-year meal eligibility application must be completed before fees may be adjusted Watch your email for notifications and information on how to complete this fee waiver All elementary buildings will host an Intro to Kindergarten night in the weeks or months before the start of the school year Keep an eye on your school’s social media page for additional information Dr Kim Tierney has been named the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning beginning in the 2025-26 school year Tierney will lead the District’s student-centered She will serve on the Waukee CSD Senior Leadership Team oversee the District’s school improvement team and collaborate with school principals and department leaders “I’m incredibly honored to take on the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning role for Waukee CSD This is a great opportunity to build on the District’s strengths and ensure every student has what they need to succeed,” Tierney says Tierney began her career as a teacher and coach at Waukee CSD She served as an elementary principal in Denver Iowa — where she was named the Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa — before returning to Waukee in 2014 she has served as principal at Maple Grove Elementary associate principal at Northwest High School she helped Maple Grove secure the distinguished “Leader in Me” Lighthouse Certification “Waukee has always been a District that values innovation and student success with exceptional talent across our organization I’m excited to collaborate with our incredible educators and leaders to continue driving our schools and students forward,” Tierney says Tierney earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa where she was a student athlete and was later inducted into the UNI Athletics Hall of Fame She earned her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Iowa State University in 2008 and her Doctor of Education in Leadership and Superintendent License from Drake University in 2024 The Des Moines metro's second Steak 'n Shake is planned for Waukee The fast food chain known for its steakburgers and homemade milkshakes would be built at 1045 S.E Alice's Road — about a block northeast of the intersection of Southeast Alice's Road and Southeast University Avenue Waukee's Planning & Zoning Commission was set to consider the plan at its meeting Tuesday Waukee previously approved a plan for a Dollar Tree to be located at the same site but the discount store never moved forward with construction who owns the West Des Moines location at 815 S The West Des Moines restaurant opened to much fanfare in 2021 with a line of drive-thru customers spilling onto Mills Civic Parkway Winter said Tuesday afternoon he hoped to break ground in March on the Waukee location and that it would open in September Steak 'n Shake owns its location in Coralville This story was updated to correct who would own the Waukee Steak 'n Shake Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com or on X at @pslifeisabeauty Students from Timberline School and Waukee High School recently attended the Iowa Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference Dozens of Waukee CSD students advanced to the National Leadership Conference this summer in Anaheim We’re so proud of our students’ accomplishments at the conference: Timberline brought 15 students to the competition The chapter earned 15 first-place finishes in individual and team events along with eight second-place and five third-place honors All participating Timberline students qualified for nationals Northwest High School’s FBLA chapter sent 19 members to the conference and saw success across 54 events Two Northwest students also gained leadership recognition Anisha Choudhary was elected as the Iowa FBLA District 3 Vice President while Aditya Pethe secured the state nomination to run for national office Northwest FBLA was recognized as a Gold Chapter under the Iowa FBLAopoly program — its first year achieving this status — and earned third place in the Chapter of the Year competition Waukee High School had 32 students competing in more than 75 events The chapter achieved first place in 11 events and qualified for nationals in 31 events The Waukee chapter was awarded second place in the Chapter of the Year competition Waukee Community School District also received recognition beyond student achievements Career and Technical Education (CTE) Curriculum Coordinator Katy Blatnick-Gagné was named the FBLA Administrator of the Year To view a full list of award winners, see the Comprehensive Award List If Waukee voters decide in March that the city should sell its natural gas utility system Waukee is having a special election March 4 for voters to decide whether the city should sell its municipal gas utility Waukee City Council members picked from three options for the potential buyer: The city has previously estimated the value of its gas system at about $19.3 million Waukee City Administrator Brad Deets explained that the 10% premium feature in MidAmerican's offer reflects the additional value the system would gain through growth during the time the city would still own and operate the utility while transitioning it to the company's control How extensive is Waukee's natural gas utility system?The system serves more than 10,000 customer accounts and owns and operates more than 175 miles of gas mains Waukee is the only city in the metro that operates its own gas utility and one of only 51 in the state City residents and staff already have been concerned about the price of natural gas in Waukee compared to neighboring cities Deets previously told the Register that Waukee's rates have been 20% to 50% higher than in neighboring communities More than 50% of voters have to approve for the sale to move forward The Iowa Utilities Commission also would have to approve the sale Deets said city staff who operate the gas system — five people in Public Works and another three who handle billing — would still work for the city in large part because Waukee's growth would keep them needed in other roles it would be at least four years before it could appear on ballots again When and where to vote in Waukee's special electionRegistered voters can go to the polls from 7 a.m March 4 at three locations in Waukee that will be open to any registered voter according to a news release from the city: 305 Northeast Dartmoor Drive.Waukee United Methodist Church 2075 Southeast LA Grant Parkway.Westview Church 1155 Southeast Boone Drive.Absentee and early voting also is available: More election information is available at DallasCountyIowa.gov/Elections Beloved Island-Inspired Restaurant Continues Expansion in Iowa Market with Waukee Location WAUKEE, Iowa, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawaiian Bros, one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains is opening its first island-inspired franchise location in Waukee This is the second Hawaiian Bros restaurant opened by BraveHart Development LLC in the Iowa market Hawaiian Bros is hosting a grand opening celebration at their new location in Waukee (1005 SE Alice's Rd.) on Monday the first 100 customers in line will receive a free t-shirt and a Hawaiian Bros gift card ranging from $25-$500 (with purchase) and one lucky winner will win Hawaiian Bros for a year the Waukee location will be open from 11am to 10pm from Sunday to Thursday and 11am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays Hawaiian Bros will also host a VIP event on March 8 from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm and local business employees will be treated to a free classic Plate Lunch "We're looking forward to continue expanding with the second BraveHart Hospitality opening of a Hawaiian Bros location in Iowa," said David Pedelty "As part of our ambitious plan to establish 10 locations across Iowa over the next few years we are excited to share our island-inspired flavors and the Aloha Spirit with the Waukee community." Hawaiian Bros is known for its island-inspired plate lunch which offers a variety of juicy chicken or pork glazed with sweet a bed of fluffy steamed white rice or vegetables; and for dessert the simple menu is prepared with the highest quality freshest ingredients - unlike any fast-casual restaurant in the area To learn more about Hawaiian Bros and its offerings, visit https://hawaiianbros.com/ we're inspired every day to spread the Aloha Spirit and to treat everyone as 'ohana - like family we respect the dignity and self-worth of every team member and guest We value our differences and celebrate our common ground emphasizing the positives in our lives every day Hawaiian Bros owns and operates over 40 restaurants serving the Aloha spirit in eight states across America and has expanded its franchise opportunities in 2023 one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains is opening its first island-inspired franchise location in Bentonville Hawaiian Bros is opening its first island-inspired franchise location in Manhattan This will be the third Hawaiian Bros restaurant opened by.. Restaurants Retail Food & Beverages Corporate Expansion Do not sell or share my personal information: their careers once followed different paths these dedicated Waukee CSD associates are not only supporting students — they’re working toward becoming licensed teachers Cody is a special education associate at Prairieview School he graduated with a journalism degree and worked as a car salesman an activities director at long-term care facilities and a sales account executive at a technology company none of those careers ever felt just right encouraged me to get my substitute teaching authorization and found I absolutely loved working in Waukee Schools!” Cody says That experience inspired Cody to take the next step He joined the Teach Waukee: Para-to-Teacher Program which uses state grant funding in partnership with Western Governors University to help associates become licensed educators “It works perfectly for the place I am in life It allows me to still attend to my other school responsibilities and continue being an involved father of two sons (ages 6 and 10) and husband,” he says Cody plans to begin his student teaching next fall and graduate from WGU in December “My favorite thing about being an associate is that no day goes exactly as I plan in my head I love that every day is an adventure,” Cody says Brittney Henson, a special education associate at Waukee High School enjoyed her career as an administrative assistant “I felt a strong pull toward education,” Brittney explains “I wanted to be more involved in a setting that supported growth and connection for them and other students.” Five years ago Brittney joined Waukee CSD as a paraeducator “It has been one of my most meaningful choices The relationship I have built and the chance to positively impact daily have made this role feel like home,” she says Brittney is taking the next step by pursuing her teaching license through Upper Iowa University She plans to begin student teaching this fall I used to play pretend school and imagine myself in front of a classroom Life took me in a different direction for a while but that dream never disappeared,” Brittney says it feels like everything is falling into place — like I am right where I am meant to be Henson hopes to return to Waukee High School as a special education teacher “I have built strong relationships here; it is the right place to take this next step,” she says Britany Schoenrock, a special education associate at Waukee Elementary She is currently taking classes through Upper Iowa University “I see how rewarding it is to become a teacher from the colleagues I have here that love their jobs and love to see students grow throughout the year I feel like being a teacher will get me one more step in that direction,” she explains Britany says she is constantly asked if she wants to be a teacher “The fact that so many people had been encouraging and asking Britany currently supports three students in special education and hopes to one day teach middle school math or elementary special education She is planning to complete her student teaching in the fall of 2026 These Waukee CSD associates encourage others considering a teaching career to take advantage of the opportunities available “I would tell other associates it is worth pursuing if they have ever considered becoming a teacher It is a big commitment but incredibly rewarding — especially when you are already working with students every day and can see the difference you are making,” Brittney says “I legitimately wake up every day excited to go to work I look forward to having my own classroom and all the responsibilities that come with being a special education teacher in the near future,” Cody says but I’d definitely encourage others to do it,” Britany adds These associates are already making a difference and we can’t wait to see the amazing contributions they’ll bring to the classroom in the future Explore Waukee CSD Job Opportunities We are thrilled to announce Kevin Schulte will be the next Prairieview School principal for the 2025-26 school year He will take the reins as Prairieview transitions from a ninth-grade building for the Waukee Northwest feeder to the ninth-grade building for the Waukee High School feeder “A ninth-grade-only building is unique for most school districts nationwide It offers an excellent opportunity to develop the ninth-grade experience I have also had the opportunity to work with the majority of teachers who will be transitioning to Prairieview and they are second to none,” Schulte says He calls it Prairieview’s “grand reopening.” “Moving to new spaces can help spur new thinking and innovative ideas The proximity of Prairieview to Waukee High School will allow for excellent collaborative opportunities for students and staff,” Schulte says Waukee CSD hired Schulte as Timberline’s assistant principal in 2022 he gained experience in the educational sector with several other stops along his path I began my teaching career at Southeast Polk anatomy & physiology and coached ninth-grade football I then moved to Johnston High School to teach science and coach ninth-grade football and high school wrestling I took on my first administrative role at Saydel High School as the assistant principal and later transitioned to principal in 2013.” Schulte has always enjoyed working with high schoolers — especially ninth graders “Ninth graders are fun to work with because they still bring great energy They are at a time of great self-discovery and exploration making it an optimum time for educators to have a gigantic impact in partnership with families,” he says Schulte is already planning improvements to the educational experience and collaboration across the District His plans include working with current Prairieview Principal Mark Stallman and Assistant Principal Kevin Tow as they transition to their new building — Trailridge School — as it becomes the ninth-grade building for the Waukee Northwest feeder “I envision ninth grade as an opportunity for every student to engage with community building and service opportunities to develop each individual beyond the academics of ninth grade,” Schulte explains Schulte enjoys spending time with his wife and their two kids Quinnlyn (10th grade) and Conor (sixth grade) His two favorite teams are the Cyclones and the Kansas City Royals He enjoys all things outdoors and believes RAGBRAI is the most wonderful time of the year He grew up just outside Marshalltown and graduated from Green Mountain-Garwin (GMG) with a class of 33 The first Making a Difference awards of 2025 are here These staff members and students are recognized for showing the Waukee CSD values and exceeding expectations in their daily tasks HR Manager Maggie Holton and Superintendent Brad Buck helped celebrate each nominee by surprising them with a visit and sharing the nominations aloud Watch to see what great things happen during these visits Any staff member who wants to nominate a colleague or student may do so on the District’s intranet Waukee now has a new fast-casual restaurant that specializes in chicken and with another focusing on Hawaiian plate lunches on the way Slim Chickens debuted its third Iowa location in Waukee that joins another that opened in Ankeny in 2022 and another in Grimes Alice’s Road specializes in chicken tenders plans to open seven more locations across the state Brands also owns 22 Taco Johns locations in the metro the first 100 diners receive a free jar dessert with the purchase of an adult meal Thursday brings double points on orders all day customers can get a crispy sandwich meal for $6.99 More: Whether you want wings or thighs, here's where to find fried chicken in the Des Moines metro Right down the street, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill plans to open its first location in Central Iowa at 1005 S.E The Kansas City-based chain offers Hawaiian plate lunches with a protein cold mac salad and two scoops of white rice This dish gained prominence in the 1880s as Hawaii’s pineapple and sugar plantations grew made from leftover meat from the night before only six plate lunches make up the compact menu The Huli Huli chicken features grilled teriyaki chicken The Molokai chicken mixes sweet and spicy sauce with a smidge of heat The savory Honolulu chicken infuses garlic Hawaiian Bros serves a slow-roasted kalua pig prepared on a wood smoker at the back of the restaurant Hawaiian Bros already opened a location in Davenport at 2955 E More: Halal dishes and Nashville hot chicken could all land in the Des Moines metro (This article was updated with new information.) There’s something new in our elementary curriculum this year — swimming The Aquatic Experiences program will take place at the new state-of-the-art Waukee Community School District (CSD) Natatorium The five-day Aquatic Experiences program is part of the elementary curriculum — it doesn’t replace PE or any other class “Our primary goal is to teach students a foundation of knowledge to be safe around water they learn to swim and can leisurely enjoy it These classes will open the eyes of students that swimming is fun,” Kelley says Students will take a bus from their school to the Natatorium the students will grab a District-provided towel and head to the locker rooms to put on the swimsuit they’ve brought from home If a student doesn’t have a swimsuit (or forgot it) the District will provide clean suits for students to borrow and return Each locker room has stalls for the students to use for privacy There are also individual changing rooms if that makes a student more comfortable Students will then head to the program pool which is a smaller pool (3-5 feet deep) that will be closed off from the larger competition pool at the facility “Each 35-minute class starts on the deck of the program pool with a five to ten-minute discussion about water safety Students will learn about never swimming without an adult present and even that it’s not safe to walk on ice at a pond I usually lead that part of the course because I am very passionate about water safety,” Kelley says students can get in the water for swimming lessons The program will use the SwimAmerica curriculum which lets students learn at their own pace “It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or more advanced — there’s something for everyone” Kelley explains students will be evaluated based on their skills After the students are assigned a number associated with a station swim instructors will divide students into groups and teach swimming skills Students are constantly being evaluated during their time in the pool When a swim instructor recognizes that a student has mastered the skills at their current station they’ll advance the student to the next station they can choose to get out of the pool and ring a special bell to celebrate their accomplishment,” Kelley says If families don’t want their student to get into the water they can work with their child’s teacher and school officials Students will still learn valuable lessons on safety during their time at the Natatorium even if they aren’t getting in the water “We understand that it’s frightening when your child goes to a pool The initial class can cause a lot of anxiety as you wonder how the class will work and if your child can handle changing into their suits,” Kelley says Rest assured that our students are safe at the Natatorium and a lifeguard will be on duty during classes The student’s classroom teacher will also be present The lower stations will stay close to the steps where the students can touch until they feel comfortable in the water While Kelley says the Aquatic Experiences program may expand it’s important to begin by focusing on teaching younger students to swim they start taking on the characteristics of an adult who doesn’t know how to swim It’s much easier with children ages 5 to 8,” Kelley says While not all grades will participate in Aquatic Experiences during the school day swim lessons will be offered at the Natatorium beginning in the spring and summer of 2025 Priority access and a discounted rate will be given to Waukee CSD students the lessons will then be open to students from other districts and schools “If 2nd and 3rd graders return for swimming lessons after completing the Aquatic Experience we’ll have their station number in our database They will begin where they left off each time they participate in lessons with us,” Kelley says Our program isn’t successful without the swim instructors teaching our children We are looking for instructors who can work at the Natatorium from 9:15 a.m You will earn all the certifications you need once employed at the Natatorium “If you are willing to work with children and get in the pool — we can go from there!” Kelley says Apply to Be a Swim InstructorIf you have additional questions about open jobs or Aquatic Experiences, please email Director of Aquatics Bobby Kelley at rkelley@waukeeschools.org Animal control services for cats in Waukee will be ending sooner than initially expected The city knew that De Soto-based AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport is ending its program for cats and the shelter's animal control contract with Waukee was to end June 30 the Waukee City Council approved a new agreement with AHeinz57 that replaces the old one and takes effect April 1 The new three-year agreement means that while services for dogs in Waukee will continue with AHeinz57 "Hopefully cat owners will be more responsible with their cats which includes getting them spayed or neutered and stop dumping them," shelter owner Amy Heinz told the Register on Tuesday The shelter is getting out of cat care because of the high costs compared to cats' adoption price What does the new agreement mean for stray cats and dogs in Waukee?Under the new agreement with AHeinz57 the Waukee Police Department will no longer respond to stray cats and residents will instead be referred to the services of nuisance wildlife control operators with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Or people will be asked to find their own shelter for the stray cats AHeinz57 will continue to collect dogs secured by police officers and the city will continue to reimburse the shelter $100 per dog that's picked up and housed Waukee has contracted with AHeinz57 since 2020 for shelter services for strays People also can independently surrender their pets — not cats or kittens anymore — but there is a waiting list and no guarantee that a pet can be taken in More: Johnston may change trapping rules after pet attacks likely by coyotes worry residents The hole in services for suburban cats also will soon include West Des Moines when AHeinz57 terminates its cat contract there The shelter takes in strays for West Des Moines though the city first tries to identify animals' owners at a city-run holding facility before turning them over to AHeinz57 for adoption Owner surrenders also are not part of the city's contract with the shelter The city has worked with AHeinz57 since July 2023 West Des Moines spokesperson Lucinda Stephenson said in January the city will continue to partner with AHeinz57 for other animals and the city had six months to come up with a new plan for cats Stephenson said Tuesday there were no details yet to share about what that might be Big things are happening for Waukee High School junior Evan Jacobson He is landing offers from top college football programs around the country — so far he’s got about two dozen schools to choose from Evan’s first offer came last year from a nearby school: Iowa State University “I went up there for a visit they showed me around and I got to see the facilities me and my dad went into Coach Campbell’s office and talked to him for 20 minutes That’s when he told me he was going to offer me,” Evan says The offers started rolling in for the Warriors’ tight end after his visit to Cyclone country “My second offer was from Texas A&M which is sort of crazy,” Evan recalls He is ranked the #1 tight end recruit in Iowa and #8 in the nation by 247Sports Over the past year, Evan has attended multiple school visits to tour the training facilities, meet with coaches, and even watch games from the sidelines. From Florida to Texas to Ohio, he has traveled around the country to get an inside look at some of the nation’s biggest stadiums and top-tier football teams.  WHS Head Football Coach Bakker explains the interest in Evan from college teams: “Guys that are athletic — 6’7 and 220 lbs — there are not a lot of those guys around is where many of these early offers have come from But once they dove in and watched the film they realize he’s an all-around good football player.” I would probably say this is the most offers one player has had this early in their career,” Bakker adds Evan says he’ll make his decision with the support of his family — and they know collegiate sports played basketball and football at Waukee High School and was recruited by colleges in both sports Michael went on to start for the Iowa State men’s basketball team from 2018-2020 and is now on the practice squad with the New Orleans Saints as a tight end Evan’s two older sisters played sports at the collegiate level as well “I’ve got a really good support system with my family I know they’ve got my best interests in mind,” Evan says “I’m grateful for how supportive they’ve been of me.” Evan says he’ll commit after making all his official college visits “I know that’s something I want to do when I feel the time is right and I feel like I’ve found home.” Photo Courtesy: Lena Bruening/The Arrowhead I think that’s what we want of all of our players and students; we hope they look back and it was a memorable experience with all the good things I also want him to keep growing as a person and a man I think he definitely will,” Bakker says Evan credits his coaches and teammates at WHS for preparing him for the future he values the memories he’s made as part of the Warriors football team “What I’ll remember most is the guys around me We’ll remember that for a little bit But it’s going to be the locker room memories and the team meals that I’ll remember the most,” Evan says Waukee Community School District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Natatorium facility on Aug Members of the community gathered for brief comments Comparable to some of the nation’s best collegiate aquatic venues the competition pool can support two full 25-yard four-lane warm-up pool will provide space for training and swimming lessons The aquatics facility will be home to the Waukee High School and Waukee Northwest High School swimming and diving programs The hugely successful boys’ and girls’ teams have both been state champions for three of the past five years with both schools looking forward to building their programs in the state-of-the-art facility the Natatorium team and our curriculum experts are working to implement academic programming for all Waukee CSD students in the facility A fire damaged a vacant building that was home to the former Kinship Brewing Co The Waukee Fire Department was dispatched to the building Deputy Fire Chief Tomme Tysdal told the Register The building was vacant and there were no reported injuries The building sustained damages to the interior and exterior Tysdal said the current owner of the building is Lincoln Savings Bank The cause of the fire is being investigated José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com or follow him on X @mendiola_news A majority of Waukee voters on Tuesday supported the city building an aquatic center — but not enough to actually approve the project — while voters across Dallas County rejected a new courthouse but approved expanding the size of the county board of supervisors Waukee had proposed a $33 million aquatic center that needed 60% approval from voters to pass The project got 54.9% of voters' support on Tuesday The center would have had 23,000 square feet of amenities including pools It would have been built at the intersection of Sixth Street and University Avenue "Voters have decided this is not an investment they want us to make at this time," Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke said Tuesday But it was important for the public to weigh in after the city received requests to build an aquatic center The aquatic center would have been near the city's civic campus Clarke said she's unsure how the measure's failure will affect those plans but it's clear that Waukee's growth will continue west "That area of our city is going to end up being the center," said Clarke adding it makes sense to put public amenities there New $56.9 million criminal courthouse voted down by majority of votersDallas County had proposed a 78,000-square-feet, three-story, $56.9 million criminal courthouse to be built next to the Dallas County Law Enforcement Center off Highway 6 The project would have needed 60% approval in order to pass County officials said the courthouse at 801 Court St in Adel does not have the space to keep up with growth in court cases The new building would have included six courtrooms for criminal and juvenile cases It also would have housed the Dallas County attorney’s offices parole and probation staff and the criminal division of the clerk of courts historic courthouse would have been kept for civil law Dallas County Board of Supervisors will expand from three seats to fiveAbout 66.8% of voters agreed the Dallas County Board of Supervisors should be expanded to five members from three Mayors of cities in Dallas County spearheaded the effort to get the proposal on the ballot The mayors said adding districts will more equitably distribute workload create easier compliance with Iowa's open meetings laws and provide broader representation in Iowa's fastest-growing county Each supervisor will represent a newly drawn district but be elected at-large by all county voters the Waukee mayor who led the drive to gather signatures for the ballot petition said Tuesday the Board of Supervisors' choices in the near future will determine how the transition process goes Clarke said voters could choose in another election to have supervisors be elected by districts or the board could make that change for itself the county will oversee the redistricting process But if supervisors are elected by district redistricting changes will be made in 2025 and the new supervisors will be elected in 2026 Clarke said she was surprised by how many voters supported the expansion — 36,304 Several other county officials ran unopposed for their offices: (This story was updated to add new information.) Phillip Sitter covers the western suburbs for the Des Moines Register A group of 44 students and six teachers from Germany participated in an exchange program at Waukee CSD and explored central Iowa Waukee Community School District is hosting 44 students and six teachers from Germany for a two-week exchange program the students have been living with local host families and shadowing Waukee CSD students who are enrolled in German classes at Waukee High School explains that the students are “fully integrated” in the Waukee CSD student experience They attend classes with their host students as well as advisories with their German teachers “It’s been great to have the visiting students in our German classes The American students ask the German students to read over their work It’s also good for our students to hear authentic German from other people the program is not only an opportunity to practice their English — they also get firsthand experience of American high school life “The difference in the school systems is very interesting to our students,” explains Melanie Bauhaus one of the accompanying teachers from Germany while these schools are gigantic and beautiful — our students are very impressed It’s also interesting to see the different ways that students are learning things are more digital; we’re just starting that in Germany.” The visiting group was recognized during the Northwest High School football game on Oct the group enjoyed field trips to Living History Farms and the state capitol where they met with senators and explored the grounds They also got a taste of Iowan culture through a potluck “The tailgate and football game were a great experience for the students because that’s something they don’t have in Germany,” Koeppel says when a teacher from the German school sought an opportunity for her students to connect with peers in the U.S — and Waukee CSD was the only school district to respond What started as pen pals and letter-writing expanded to international visits Now Waukee CSD participates in an exchange every two years with schools in the cities of Wetter and Dortmund a group of Waukee students and teachers traveled to Germany and now they’re welcoming their German counterparts in return “It’s been a very unique program and we’re excited about the developments,” says Bauhaus this is a wonderful opportunity for the students to see we’re not that different and get to know each other a little bit better.” “I think it’s a great experience — not only for our kids who are hosting but for the whole school,” Koeppel adds “We’ve become best friends,” Hannah says the Waukee CSD host students and their families are showing their German guests all the local sites “I want to go back [to Germany] to visit Lena as soon as I can I think this will be a lifelong friendship.” As this year’s exchange comes to a close and the German group prepares to leave Waukee CSD is already looking forward to the next exchange — and celebrating the program’s 25th anniversary — in 2026 City, state, congressional and nonprofit leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of a housing project that's planned to bring 48 affordable townhomes to the northwest part of Waukee Different plans for affordable housing in the area have been in the works for years But a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the Walnut Crossing development marked a new milestone for the site where Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity will build 48 townhomes Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity CEO Lance Henning said the 5.9-acre $13 million development on the northwest corner of Northwest Douglas Parkway and North Warrior Lane will be the largest Habitat has ever done in Iowa Henning said infrastructure work — a new street water and sewer lines — is expected to start within the next 30 days The first home foundations could be placed in the fall Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham and Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines President Kristi Knous were among those gathered Friday for the groundbreaking which was needed to move the project forward Habitat must construct at least 12 townhomes by the end of July 2026 and all 48 townhomes are due by the end of July 2028 Henning said Habitat is thinking about projects of a similar scope in the future but there is no such development currently in the works And Walnut Crossing's construction will happen as the nonprofit continues to develop other housing in the metro Henning said the townhomes would each be about 1,300 square feet Habitat's website for Walnut Crossing says most homes will have three bedrooms but some will have as many as five Henning said the three-bedroom homes will have two bathrooms The townhomes will be built as duplexes and fourplexes Buyers still will contribute what the nonprofit calls "sweat equity" to help build their home And qualifying homebuyers will pay no more than 30% of their monthly income on their mortgage Habitat also will have a period of exclusivity for buyers with ties to Waukee such as families with students in the Waukee Community School District or employees of businesses in the suburb Habitat is required to keep the income limitations for at least 21 years And if an owner were to sell their home within those 21 years, they must sell to a buyer in the same income bracket or give Habitat the option to buy and resell to a qualifying buyer, according to the city's website for the project Interested buyers can sign up for a homeowner consultation on Habitat's website, gdmhabitat.org/programs-services/waukee/ Waukee officials have been working for years to get affordable housing developed at the site A development agreement between the city and Wisconsin-based Northpointe Development to build two 64-unit townhome complexes fell through in 2023 because the city did not receive a competitive low-income tax credit from the Iowa Finance Authority needed to fill a funding gap Waukee City Council in March 2024 approved new plans with Northpointe for the developer to buy about 6½ acres in the parcel south of Douglas Parkway for $1 and build 46 rental townhomes Tentative plans also called for 14 additional owner-occupied townhomes in the southern parcel to be built by a third party But those plans also depended on receipt of low-income housing tax credits from the Iowa Finance Authority "Intense competition for limited tax credit funding is a key challenge for affordable housing projects," the city's website on affordable housing projects notes grants and donations are critical for affordable housing because while the cost of labor and materials is the same as for other projects affordable housing has to be sold or rented below the market rate Clarke said Friday that development south of Walnut Crossing across Douglas Parkway will no longer involve Northpointe Clarke said the city is in discussion with two other developers as well as Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity As our students and staff get ready for a well-deserved Winter Break I want to express how grateful I am for everything we’ve accomplished together so far this school year Thank you for your continued support and involvement which helps build a strong community here at Waukee CSD Below you can find important updates about our new transitional kindergarten program and reminders about closings/delays due to inclement weather Spread the word to parents you know who have children ages 4-5 We’re excited to welcome new families to our wonderful District I hope all of you find time during the break to unwind While you cheer on the Warriors and Wolves in basketball tonight The WHS and NWHS student councils are having their annual friendly rivalry to collect new the Waukee Community Schools Foundation is collecting food pantry items — and everyone who brings three or more items will get a free game day t-shirt The matchup is at Waukee High School; the varsity girls play at 6:15 p.m Did you know meal eligibility applications are open throughout the school year? If your financial situation has changed and you need assistance, please complete the Meal Eligibility application to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced-price meals (breakfast and lunch). Find more information on our website Those who have already applied do not need to reapply A new afterschool program at Timberline School is offering eighth- and ninth-grade students a lifeline when they get behind. The Warriors @ Work program provides a supportive space with volunteers to help students raise their grades and South Middle School teacher Jennifer Ghelf served as an OPUS director High school students in the Waukee APEX Engineering, Technology, and Robotics class are modifying toys to better serve the unique needs of children with fine motor disabilities. Watch this video to see the innovative work they’re doing to bring smiles to kids this holiday season Waukee Middle School eighth graders in the new Code Innovate class are applying real-world scenarios while piloting drones they were challenged to capture drone photos of “sharks” (stickie notes) near the “shore” (building blocks) in 60 seconds We love to see the ways our students explore computer science and technology We’ve already seen winter weather, so it’s a good time to share some reminders about our procedures for closings and delays. You can see full details on our website We will use the following methods to communicate closings and delays: We will use the National Weather Service’s new Parent Quick Links For more news, stories, and updates, follow @WaukeeCSD on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.