Ames CSD Mourns the Passing of Ames High Teacher and Coach Dan Flannery
Ames CSD Mourns the Passing of Ames High Teacher and Coach Dan Flannery The Ames Community School District family and community mourns the passing of longtime Ames High teacher and storied Ames High Swim Coach Dan Flannery, who passed away Tuesday morning. “Dan was Ames High Pride. He loved our students, our high school, and our community. This is a huge loss for not only our school community, but the swimming community in Ames and across Iowa,” said Superintendent Jenny Risner. “Dan was committed to excellence in his program and his success speaks for itself. But what was even more impressive was his ability to build strong relationships with his student-athletes that lasted well beyond high school. He made those he coached better athletes and better people.”
Read moreRemainder of Ames High Softball Season Canceled
Earlier today, we were informed of a positive test for COVID-19 within our Ames High softball program. Based on guidance from Story County Public Health, all Ames High softball activities will be stopped for the remainder of the season including games that were scheduled for today. Story County Public Health is advising all junior varsity/varsity players and coaches to self-quarantine for 14 days regardless of showing symptoms.
Read moreAmes High Commencement Confirmed for July 11 at Ames High Stadium
After postponing the last scheduled commencement ceremony, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting the Ames High Commencement Ceremony on July 11 at Ames High Stadium at 10:00 a.m. Earlier this spring, the feedback we heard from students and families made it clear that there was a strong desire to have the celebration in person, even if it is delayed from the originally scheduled May 24th date. To honor that feedback, we established several prospective dates, the first of which we postponed due to a spike coronavirus cases in Story County. We are foregoing the second option at Hilton Coliseum and planning for an outdoor ceremony on that date.
Read moreHarrison and Brittany Barnes Donate for Upgrades to Ames High Gymnasium
Harrison Barnes’ legacy extends far beyond basketball as he continues to make an everlasting impact in the Ames community and youth through his Harrison and Brittany Barnes Community Fund. His most recent donation is giving back to the high school that began his basketball career. Harrison and his wife Brittany approached the Ames Community School District about donating funds for upgrades to the competition gymnasium in the new high school. The upgrades include adding student bleachers, adding a video board, upgrading the scoreboard to include player stats, lighting enhancements, and adding floor mounted “NBA” baskets. The school board approved the acceptance of the donation on May 18, 2020.
Read moreAmes High Pride in Haiti
Senior Kerlande Mompremier is finishing her Ames High School career and fulfilling her continuous learning requirement from the island of Haiti. Over spring break, Mompremier traveled to Haiti to visit family and made the decision to remain there after schools in Iowa closed. She now works on her classes remotely and is giving back to the community through her volunteering and tutoring efforts.
Read moreJunior Yuer Zhu named a 2020 All-State Visual Arts Awardee
Ames High junior Yuer Zhu was named a 2020 All-State Visual Arts Awardee by the Art Educators of Iowa and the All-State Visual Art Awards Committee. Zhu’s outstanding portfolio represents the top 20% of applicants across the state of Iowa and she was one of twelve class 4A students to receive this recognition. In a press release, the All-State Committee said, “We appreciate the time and effort it takes to compile a portfolio and complete the submission process. Though we provide the opportunity to recognize students for outstanding work, it is the time, nurture, and support that individual teachers give students with potential that is most significant.”
Read moreThe Misplaced Building: Story of Ames High #3
By 1936, the building known as “Old” Central (the 1911 building, aka Ames High #2), had become inadequate. Enrollment was on the rise in Ames and the building was exceeding its capacity. By December of that year, the school district started working with architects and the Ames Planning Commissions to look at designs of buildings and locations for the next Ames High School. The district had land available at the corner of 13th Street and Grand Avenue for the building. With a vote of 4-1, the School Board moved to build Ames High #3 on that property. This vote was unpopular to a group of community members and started one of the most interesting referendums in Ames Public School history.
Read moreAmes High Construction Update and Summer Parking 2020
Throughout the winter, construction crews have continued to excavate and pour footings and construct foundation walls at the Ames High construction project. As of the end of February, the foundation walls for the south half of the building were approximately 80% complete and the footings for the south half of the building were approximately 94% complete. Other notable milestones include the geothermal vaults being installed in December after 312 wells were drilled throughout the fall.
Read moreThirteen Ames High Seniors Named National Merit Finalists
Thirteen Ames High School seniors have been named finalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) mailed Certificates of Merit to principals across the country, notifying them of the students who have advanced to Finalist standing in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Read moreDr. Valerie Nyberg named new Ames High School Principal
The Ames Community School District is excited to announce Dr. Valerie Nyberg as the new principal of Ames High School. Dr. Nyberg is currently the Associate Principal at George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, a position she has held since 2013. As an associate principal in Cedar Rapids, Nyberg has experience in both curriculum and instruction as well as buildings and grounds. She was responsible for the evaluation of certified staff, development of the master schedule, and directly supported multiple departments such as English, special education, and Career/Technical Education, among others. As associate principal of building and grounds, she attended weekly construction meetings and worked closely with various departments to ensure that instructional programming was not compromised during construction. In her role as associate principal of curriculum and instruction, she worked diligently to ensure that students have multiple pathways open to them and this required working closely with special education teachers.
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