A couple of weeks ago, the Belle Plaine Board of Education spent a considerable portion of its monthly meeting going over the new student handbook with a magnifying glass. With several pairs of eyes looking over the draft for the new handbook, especially the junior-senior high guide, the board members were able to spot some words that changed the meaning of a particular entry, tightened up the language and seemingly sent a clearer message to the students what behavior is expected of them in the upcoming year.

As I observed their deliberations, I realized that while it was a necessary exercise, in a way it was too bad so much time and effort has to be devoted to telling students of that age what is expected of them. I guess when you get to be my age and you realize that you could have grandchildren in high school, some of the things that are spelled out in the handbook seem really obvious.

In my dealings with young people over the years, I have grown to marvel at how so many of them are able to juggle so many aspects of their lives with ease. Some of the best students in school are also involved in one or more extracurricular activities and may also hold down a part-time job while still maintaining some sort of social life. I guess that even as these students show the maturity to budget their time wisely to succeed in school, they still need the reminders outlined in the handbook and board policy to keep them on track.

Again to us older folks, at least those of us who haven’t ever worn an orange jumpsuit with a number across our chest, it would stand to reason that you should wait until you are legally allowed to have a beer. When you walk in the front door of the high school, you should realize that it is a place of learning and your teachers and parents have the expectation that you will learn something while in class and not just cruise through the day waiting for the start of sports or play practice.

The board spent some time reviewing the cell phone usage part of the handbook. When I was in school, if you needed to call home to get your mom to bring your forgotten homework to school, you had to go to the office a beg to use the phone. Now, everybody is wired not only to others with a phone, but in many instances to the World Wide Web as well. The natural reaction would be to prohibit possession of cell phones by all students in school. But I know if I had been a parent of a student in Colorado a few years ago, I would have felt a whole lot better if my kid had called me on his cell phone telling me he had successfully been evacuated from Columbine High School.

As the dialogue continues on how to improve our educational system, many government leaders and educators keep coming back to the value of the positive influence on the home front. Many kids today come from broken homes where the remaining parent has to work extra hours to make ends meet. Unfortunately, some kids come from homes where the parent will dismiss some disturbing behavior by their kids with the comment, “Well, kids will be kids. You should have seen what we did when we were their age!”

There are other parents, and I’ll admit I fell into this group, who really wanted to be a part of the educational process with their kids. But we realize that we are paying a bunch of teachers to teach our kids. Some of us grumbled when our kids were younger when bad weather caused the schools to be closed, since we had to find someone to watch our youngsters during the work day.

What educators and government officials are trying to tell us is that in an era of increased competition for a place in a good college or for a good job, neither attitude will work today. And I guess that’s why school officials still have to spend time making sure the language in the student handbooks is as precise as they can make it. At some point, you hope the kids will wake up and realize they won’t make it in the world if they use their cell phone to message a friend and cheat on a test, or crack open a few beers on the weekend or put off getting help with their school work if they don’t understand an assignment.

In a few short weeks, our students will enter newly renovated school buildings to start the 2010-11 school year. (Just typing those numbers make me feel very old!) Here’s hoping everyone will follow the rules and have a fun and successful school year!

To the editor:

Wow! What a rainy, hot, and quick moving summer this 2010 is having! I wrote a letter to the local newspapers regarding many ongoing hot topics in Belle Plaine during the loved month of December. Those topics included the ongoing main street renovations, Benco Manufacturing closing, Belle Plaine beautification programs, along with the election of Jason Parizek to the Belle Plaine City Council. I plan on touching up my thoughts with these and adding some more topics to the fire.

First, I would like to welcome back James Kurvoski to the council chamber. Its great having another humble person on our council again. The outcome of Parizek’s ‘time’ on the council was disappointing. I regularly attend city council meetings and in my last letter showed support for Parizek after the election. I supported his views on community topics. It was disappointing seeing the third wards man seat empty frequently. The outcome was pretty substandard and honesty irritating. I could continue to ramble about this subject, but I’m not going to. I hope Jason has a successful future with his life and expansion of his popular new business! Good Luck!

Secondly, Benco is now closed and frankly I still haven’t heard any news updates on refilling the building. I raised the question if this was the city’s top priority to do. Meanwhile I would imagine talks have been held behind closed doors, I would like to ask if this is the top priority? Getting jobs into this community? Yes downtown updates are a necessity and have my support 100%, however, the downtown should be second priority, with job creation being top priority. Recently  $10,000 went to the support of a new ‘park.’ I think the need for a prairie park for educational purposes is a great idea. But I think most city taxpayers wouldn’t want public funds going towards the project. I believe most taxpayers would like to spend $10,000 on a job creation study, or $10,000 to pay down the Benco bill to resell it. Great idea? I give good luck to the prairie park and applaud the hard working people involved with the project.

The main street is inches away from having a much needed upgrade! I’m sure our city personnel are ready to get this never-ending project complete and out of their hair. It seems like this downtown revitilation has been ongoing since dirt was created.  So all I can address regarding the downtown and the community is to brace yourselves, deconstruction and reconstruction is on the way! Now, I would like to spread the wealth, oh sorry I turned into Obama there for a brief second.  I would like to welcome Kyle Spading as Park and Recreation director, and thank Joel Formanek for many great years of service. There are some things I thought I would bring up regarding campgrounds, the police department, our July 4^th celebration,  and other little things hopefully readers can catch up on.

Regarding campgrounds, I believe the current suggested area for Franklin Campgrounds is indeed not too fastidious. In my opinion I think campgrounds would be a nice addition to the land near the aquatic center, or upper Franklin Park. What the heck when someone camps up there throw in a free admission to the aquatic center, which would be a polite thing to do and show off to outsiders what Belle Plaine has to offer. Regarding the aquatic center I believe it was a beautiful addition to the community. I have heard mixed opinions regarding the aquatic center, but the community did their best with the funds available and future additions may be necessary.

The city recently accepted the resignations of two Belle Plaine policemen.  I attended the meeting where is was approved, and I just wanted to comment that unexpected events do pop up and I also agree policemen should stay around until their contracts are complete. Maybe changes are needed to those contracts to make them shorter?  The city just purchased a new police car and I just wanted to point out that a SUV would be a great addition to the department during the next the rotation. We have fun winters here in Iowa and cars are not always the most dependable when there is ten feet of snow outside.

The July 4^th celebration was another busy day in town. The weather worked with us (surprisingly) and I think the best part was the car show and cruise. Much improved and was the best Belle Plaine has ever held! Many people think a much improved midway, co-ed softball tournament, and a big time concert after fireworks are some things the committee should look into. These where some things I spoke with people about upgrading our July 4^th events.

Finally,  I would to thank the community for the support during my Student Body President days during last school year. I received plenty of positive feedback for the Kirk Ferentz and Sen. Grassley visits, and the other subjects I was involved in! So I thank the many who supported me! I am still deciding whether to attend school for politics or something else…wish me luck.

Sincerely,

Anthony T. Jones

July 19, 4:15 p.m. – A search warrant was executed at 107 11^th Street on a previous complaint of too many pets at the residence. The occupant was in compliance and no charges were filed.

July 19, 7:55 p.m. – Police responded to the 700 block of Ninth Avenue for a neighbor dispute. No charges were filed.

July 19, 8:20 p.m. – Ambulance assist in the 1400 block of 12^th Avenue.

July 19, 9:40 p.m. – Officers were called to 402 11^th Street on a report of harassment. The report was unfounded.

July 19, 10 p.m. – Zip Mart reported a gas theft. The incident remains under investigation.

July 20, 1:44 p.m. – Police received a report of phone harassment from a Belle Plaine juvenile. The incident remains under investigation.

July 20, 9:25 p.m. – Police received a noise complaint in the 400 block of 11^th Street. The party was warned.

July 21, 2:40 a.m. – Officers assisted a stranded motorist in the 1000 block of Seventh Avenue.

July 21, 4:11 p.m. – Lou Ford, Belle Plaine, reported identity theft.

July 21, 5:40 p.m. – Ambulance assist in the 1300 block of Eighth Avenue.

July 23, 3:06 p.m. – Wayne Michael Mussman, 20, Belle Plaine, was cited for driving while under suspension following a traffic stop in the 600 block of 15^th Street.

July 25, 7:45 p.m. – Nathan Lee Kurth, 25, Belle Plaine, was arrested in the 800 block of 12^th Street and charged with third offense public intoxication. He was transported to the Benton County Jail.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Earlene Joyce Fisher, 77, of Belle Plaine died Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the Belle Plaine Nursing and Rehab Center following a lingering illness.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 29, at the Hrabak Funeral Home by Rev. Jack Andrews. Burial will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

She is survived by a son, Rod and wife Julie of Belle Plaine; grandsons Allen, Danny and Jamie; great-grandchildren Star and Damien Fisher.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Fisher, Jr., her parents, Earl and Margaret Rush and a sister, Alice Sichra.

As we begin the last full week of July, we are reminded through the various back to school sales from many retailers that summer is quickly coming to an end.

There are only a few activities on the local calendar this week. On Tuesday, Greg Johnson, district representative for Congressman Leonard Boswell, will be in Belle Plaine for community members to meet with him from 11 a.m. To noon at City Hall. Anyone with concerns that they feel the congressman may be able to help with are encouraged to stop by and talk with Johnson during this time.

The Belle Plaine Community Library Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the library.

Activities on Wednesday include the Community Center Board meeting at 5 p.m. At the community center and family night at the aquatics center from 7-9 p.m.

Enjoy these last few days of summer fun!

HOURS

Monday through Thursday: 12:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Friday 10:00-4:00 p.m.

Saturday 10:00-4:00

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Find  our website, at  www.belleplaine.lib.ia.us If you would like to sign up for a password to be able to renew materials from home, you need to come to the library to set one up. Check out the photo tab and see pictures for the summer program!

Book sale: The next used book sale will goes through July 24th, during regular library hours.

Book Clubs: On July 20th  at 70:00 we will be discussing “Black and Blue” by Anna Quindlen. If  you would like a book to read, please come to the library to get one. If you need more information, call Kristi at 444-2902.

Find us..on facebook. Let us know what YOU would like to see the library do.  This is a GREAT place to go for the latest library news!! CHECK IT OUT!

New Materials:

Magazines: We have about 80 different magazines available for check out. Stop in and see the selection!

Adult Fiction: “In The Name of Honor” by Richard North Patterson,  “The Devil Amongst the Lawyers” by Sharyn McCrumb, “Cross Roads” by Fern Michaels, “Beachcombers” by Nancy Thayer, “Nashville Noir” by Jessica Fletcher, “Every Last One” by Anna Quindlen, “Stay a Little Longer” by Dorothy Garlock, “Seeds of Summer’ by Deborah Vogts, and “A Christmas Visitor” by Thomas Kinkade.

Young Adult Fiction: “Passing Strange” by Daniel Waters, “My Invisible Boyfriend” by Susie Day,

Junior Fiction: “Theordore Boone: Kid Lawyer” by John Grisham, “97 Ways to Train a Dragon” by Kate McMullan , “The Sword Thief” by Peter Lerangis, and “Dead Guy Spy” by David Lubar.

Adult Non Fiction: “The Death and Life of the Great American School System” by Diane Ravitch, “The Art Detective: Fakes, Frauds, and Finds and the Search for Lost Treasure” by Philip Mould,  and “Psychic: My Life in Two Worlds” by Sylvia Browne.

Children’s Fiction: “The Goose Man: The Story of Konrad Lorenz, and “Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School’ by Herman Parish..

“Large Print: “Burn” by Linda Howard, and “House Rules” by Jodi Picoult.

Junior Non Fiction: “Sudden Infant Death Syndrom” by Peggy Parks, “The Boats of the Past” by Mark beyer, “Wheels and Axles” by Kay Manolis, and “Air Force Air Commandos” by Jack David.

“DVD’s: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “The Twilight Sage: New Moon”, “Dora The Explaorer: Dora’s First Trip”,”The Green Berets”.

Music CD: “Celine Dion: One Heart.

Book on CD: “Big Jack’ by J.D. Robb.

Check-out and download popular audio books, and now even e-books online, anytime, anywhere.  NEIBORS. The service is free, easy-to-use, and best of all, available anytime from anywhere in the world. Call or stop in and talk to Kristi if you’d like more information.

by Duronda Schlue

Plan, Pack, and Dress Wisely

Take time to analyze what your agenda will be on your trip. Select clothes that can be mixed and matched. Take less than you think you will need. Wear comfortable shoes and only pack one additional pair.

Lay all items out on the bed and visualize what you have to mix and match. Add accessories in this procedure. Then pack accordingly.

Put all liquids (small 3 oz. bottles, small jars) in 1 quart size zipper locked bag. Push bottle in slightly before capping and spillage will be less. You are allowed only one for carry-on. Pack others in checked bag.

Put all medications in a see-through bag. You will not have to show this to the agent, but it makes scanning easier for the agent of Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Roll all items. You will waste less space and wrinkles are minimal.

Dress comfortably in layers. You will find some airports and planes are cooler. You will appreciate the sleeves.

Carry-on luggage should contain all medications. NEVER pack medications in bags to be checked! Other items in carry-on might include book or magazine, address book, and container for itinerary, boarding pass,  and ticket. When reservations on made on-line or on the phone, the passenger usually is not issued a hard copy of the ticket. The gate agent will give you what you need.

Name tag on outside of all pieces whether you are checking them or carrying them on the plane. Place index card inside each luggage piece with the same information.

Arrive  one and ½ hours prior to take off for domestic flights and 2 hours for international flights.

Check In – Have photo identification and give agent your name. You may also check in at the kiosk using a credit card. The machine will spit out your boarding passes, but the agent will tag your checked baggage and verify your identity.

Deliver checked bags to the screening machine. Bags should not be locked. After security your bag will be delivered to the your plane. Walk to passenger screening with boarding pass and photo id in hand.

Show documents. Agent will initial your boarding pass. Put id away and find trays for your to be scanned items.   (Hang on to boarding pass. You will still need it.)

a. Take laptop out of carry case and place in tray.

b. Take off shoes and jackets and put in tray including wallet, purses, personal items.

c. Take off metal items and place in dish or tray.

d. Put quart bag with liquids in tray.

7. With directions from the agent, walk through scanning device with boarding pass.

After items are scanned, the tray will appear at the far end. There you pick up your belonging. Make sure you have everything. Sometimes a passenger will be asked about his carry-on because the machine can’t identify items clearly. Every few passengers will be patted down. If you are a woman, a woman will do the patting. If you change departure aircrafts at the last minute or purchase a ticket at the last minute, you will be subject to more screening.

Find gate – The boarding pass holds important information: gate no. and boarding information. Boarding is usually arranged by plane zones. Look for words like “Group 2” or “Group B.” Boarding usually takes place 20-30 minutes prior to take-off.

Visit the bathroom, get a drink or snack and listen for your group to board.

Take off and landing – different noises or normal.

Once on board stow all hand luggage under the seat in front of you and/or in the overhead compartment. Seat should be upright. The lever is on the armrest and the seatbelt fastened. Seatbelt extensions are available upon request if needed. Bathrooms are usually found in the back, but if the fasten seat belt sign is on, no one is allowed to leave his seat. This is for safety.

Taking off is exciting as the plane rapidly progresses down the runway and gathers lifting speed. Once the speed is met the front of the aircraft will rise and “up, up, and away” begins. Remember the aircraft uses all its energy to get off the ground. In a few minutes if you listen carefully, you will hear the pitch of the aircraft change. It is a normal sound change. Don’t let it frighten you. All that take off power is not needed for cruising altitude.

Twenty plus minutes before landing, the wheels will come out of their storage area and will drop into place and lock. If you listen carefully, you will hear them. You will now begin your descent into the airport.  Usually a flight attendant will share gate information for connecting flights. This will save time and the diagram of the airport is usually found in the company magazine in the front pocket facing you. You may have to take an airport train to get to another part of the airport. Asking directions can save you valuable time and lessen the stress of traveling.

Remember that it is ok to ask questions. It is ok to be a little nervous; however, flying is safer than fighting the crazy drivers on our busy highways. When I began my flight attendant career with Pan Am in l966, I had only been on a few small prop planes. Through the years I have experienced many positive trips around the world. I, too, have asked someone in an airline uniform for help, who better to know an airport. If you have any flight questions, that I might help you with, please contact me at belleplainenow.com. I’m here to help because I think flying is exciting and fun, particularly take off!

Students attending classes in the Belle Plaine Community School District this fall will notice a lot of new and different things – expanded facilities at both attendance centers, more than $100,000 in new computers and software, a revised student handbook and a new principal.

During its regular meeting Wednesday night, the Belle Plaine Board of Education tackled a wide range of topics. Principal Dennis Phelps submitted his resignation after two years in the district. He has accepted the post of superintendent in the Harmony School District in southeast Iowa. Jamie Harmening, an elementary special education teacher, also submitted her resignation. She is moving to the Cedar Rapids School District.

Superintendent Bill Lynch said the process of replacing Phelps began with the board’s acceptance of his resignation. The job opening will be posted in the district as the next step. He said he is confident the district will find a competent replacement. At Wednesday’s meeting, he thanked both Phelps and Harmening for their service.

In other personnel news, the board approved the appointments of Ryan Ridout as assistant boys’ basketball coach and Nick Gallagher as assistant wrestling coach.

Contracts were approved for support staff and food service personnel with a three percent increase in the package. The board also approved the contract with the Belle Plaine Education association for the district’s teachers. The new contract calls for an addition of $250 to the base salary, with extracurricular salaries calculated off of the new base. The district will continue to pay single health insurance premiums plus $190 per month toward family coverage.

Lynch reported on the progress of construction at both the Longfellow and junior-senior high school buildings. He said while the buildings will not be completely finished by the first day of school, the new classrooms and other facilities will be in use. He said some of the things to be completed will include outside site work, including landscaping and playgrounds. The good news for students and teachers working in the buildings early in the school year is that all classrooms in the district will now be air conditioned.

The superintendent presented a list of computer hardware and software that the district will be able to purchase thanks to its share of a settlement of a class action lawsuit against Microsoft. Belle Plaine will receive $105,628.30. The high school will receive 33 new laptop computers and more than $25,000 in software. At the junior high, 10 laptop computers will be purchased, along with $7,389 in software.

At the elementary level, there will be 26 new computers for the lab and more than $20,000 in software.

Lynch and activities director Greg Walton also told the board that Chelsea Savings Bank has agreed to donate money for the purchase of a new football scoreboard at the high school, at a cost of approximately $15,000. The scoreboard will also have a stopwatch feature for track meets.

The board also gave its final approval for the creation of an alternative school. The class will be shared with the HLV School District and will be housed in the Victor building. Kirkwood Community College will assist in the curriculum for the program, which is expected to serve at least 13 students. The total budget for the first year of the program will be $75,538.40, with the cost split between the two districts. Lynch also said that this will be a structured program and transportation will be provided.

The board also approved revisions to the student handbooks. Revisions were made to the good conduct policy, outlining penalties for use of alcohol or tobacco or other infractions. Students found in violation of the policy will no longer be able to assume leadership roles, such as team captains, homecoming or prom royalty, etc. for one year.

In other action, the board approved bids from Sara Lee Bakery and Anderson Erickson for food products for the upcoming year and with Heartland Co-op for fuel for district vehicles. The board also approved the annual trip by FFA members to the national convention in Indianapolis in October.

Kirkwood Community College recently held a volleyball camp in Belle Plaine for girls in grades 2 – 4 and 5 – 8.

Coach Trena Dodd’s comments on the camp: “During camp the girls learned about passing, setting and serving. They all did a really nice job during the week.  It was fun seeing them improve in those few days.  I look forward to watching them compete in the future!



Those attending the camp included, front row, from left: Carly Varo, Macy Dodd, Hannah Eichhorn, Blake Weber. Second row: Kailyn Pettitt, Danielle Montgomery, Kendra Alcott, Shaylee Dodd, Hope Brecht, Kenzie Mantz, Rhylee Stone. Back row: Trena Dodd, Coach, Kayla Chizek, Bailey Kuba, Katherine Andersen, Alexa Stull, Rachel Montgomery, Shannon Murray, Shiloh Murray, Jill Alcott, Volunteer Coach. Not shown: Hannah McLennan.

Belle Plaine’s downtown revitalization project may finally be weeks away from getting underway. At Monday’s Belle Plaine City Council work session, City Administrator Bill Daily said an offer has been made for a possible $1.5 million I-Jobs grant for façade renovation. Daily said the offer now moves into final negotiations, that nothing is definite and that it “is not a done deal.”

The state would provide the funding only for renovations of the facades of downtown buildings that are a part of the program. Earlier, property owners were asked to sign a temporary easement as a part of the application for a Community Development Block Grant. The city received $500,000 from that program. If the I-Jobs grant is awarded, that would mean more than $2.3 million in public dollars would be available for the approximately 35 downtown storefronts in the program.

Daily said there are strict limitations on the I-Jobs grant. Work would have to begin within 60 days of the final award and be completed within 18 months. There are no extensions for completion of the work, he said. And if the work is not completed in that time, the city would be liable for the total award.

Architects are already working on designs for the façade improvements. But if the grant is received, the city would have to act fast to solicit bids, approve them and award contracts within the allotted 60 days.

Even with the award, the project would be $500,000-$600,000 short of the initial estimate of the entire streetscape project, he said. But councilmen suggested that some of the items that would have been paid for with those funds could be postponed until some of the improvements are paid for.

During the regular meeting, the council approved a recommendation from Chief Kris Hudson to promote Officer Amy Baldus to a full-time position with the police department. He said that he and Daily had interviewed another prospect for the remaining open position and background checks on the applicant are underway.

The council approved payments on a couple of homes in the housing rehabilitation program, approved a payment of just over $110,000 for the storm sewer improvement project and reviewed a report from aquatics center Anna Upah. She reported that attendance and revenue has greatly improved from last year. She has initiated private pool parties, teen nights and kids’ parties for more use of the new facility.

She also reported that the high dive is currently closed, due to structural problems. Manufacturers and installers are discussing how to fix the problem.

She also proposed that the center close for general use for the season on August 21, with the traditional “doggie dip” set for Sunday, Aug. 22.