Spring Photos
School pictures are ready!
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student’s school ID number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
More about the Smilesafe program here.
Thank you!
8th Grade Quiz Bowl Team Triumphs in Iowa State Championship
The Southview 8th grade Middle School Quiz Bowl Team secured victory at the Iowa Quiz Bowl State Championship held in Ankeny on April 13, 2024, prevailing over South East MS from Iowa City with a dramatic final-question win. Southview dominated the tournament with a flawless 7-0 record, setting a new state scoring record of 640 points in the opening round and achieving an impressive average victory margin of 369 points per match.
This victory marks the program’s remarkable 19th State Academic Championship, maintaining its leading position among all Iowa schools in academic competitions. “I am incredibly proud of these students,” said Nathan Coombes, the quiz bowl coach. “It’s been an outstanding year for our academic team, and we eagerly anticipate defending our National Championship title next month, which we won last year.”
2024 Spring Athletic Information
Spring is a great time to get involved!
8th/9th Girls Track
8th/9th Boys Track
9th Girls Golf
9th Girls Tennis
9th Boys Tennis
9th Girls Soccer
9th Boys Soccer
Athletic Participation REQUIRED information
- Parents, please complete our online registration process ASAP if you have a Spring student/athlete.
- Your student must have an updated physical and completed online registration to participate. Here is the link to complete the registration:
- https://ankeny-ar.rschooltoday.com/
Parent Resource: Tips to Prepare for Assessments
During this time of year, many of our students will be preparing to take assessments. Whether you’re helping an elementary or secondary student prepare for testing, listed below are a few resources to help:
Notice of School Property Prescribed Burns
The ACSD maintenance team will be conducting prescribed burns periodically in Ankeny as weather conditions allow, continuing until June 1, 2024. Weather conditions and safety considerations will determine the exact date and time of the fires.
Why do we perform prescribed burns?
Central Iowa’s landscape was once dominated by tall grass prairies. These ecosystems have an abundance of plants, insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles. The native grasses and forbs (flowers) also provide seed and nectar for insects, butterflies, birds, and small mammals. In nature, fire is essential to maintain the integrity of the native prairie plant species located in our parks. Fire is a natural occurrence that helps the plant and animal communities in a park and controlled burning offers a safer way to use fire in a helpful manner. The benefits of prescribed burns include the following:
- Aid in reducing the undesirable plants from invading our native prairie areas
- Help to maintain a rich diversity of wildflowers and grasses
- Decreases the threat of wildfires by decreasing the accumulation of combustibles
- Benefits water quality by aiding in the establishment of deep-rooted natives
- Improves the natural beauty and enjoyment of our parks
Thank you for understanding.
Let’s Talk About…Core Skills, Soft Skills, and Mental Health
Listen to these experts as they explore the creation of a culture of belonging. Discover our commitment to equipping educators with the tools to help students develop essential soft skills. Learn strategies for guiding students through the high school to college transition, emphasizing the importance of early connections and proactive support. They also mention how it is important to focus on student well-being, encouraging self-care practices during study sessions, including water breaks, physical movement, and brain breaks. Uncover how Ankeny fosters these skills from pre-kindergarten, aligning with Ankeny’s graduate profile.
Join Kayla Bell-Consolver, Director of the Counseling Center at Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake University, Shawn Beirman, Social-Emotional Learning Specialist at Ankeny Schools, and Al Neppl, Director of Professional and Leadership Development at Ankeny Schools, in a conversation highlighting the significance of adaptability, empathy, and collaboration for students.
Click here to listen or find us on your favorite podcast app!
Winter Weather Closing and Delays
As Winter weather approaches, please be familiar with the ACSD Closing and Delay Notification System
Digital Student IDs Coming Soon for Grades 6-12
Beginning November 1, all students in grades 6-12 will have access to a digital student ID through an app called Minga. While all students will continue to receive a physical student ID card, students who choose to utilize the digital ID will have access to an ID that replicates and functions the same as their physical ID. This includes the ability to use the digital ID for admittance to athletic events for students with SATs and K-8 activity passes. Click here for more information, including how to access Minga.
New! Absence Request Feature on Infinite Campus
We are excited to introduce a convenient new way to report student absences to your school! The Absence Request tool in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal allows you to report your student’s absence online with just a few clicks. This can be done using your desktop computer or the Parent Portal app on your mobile device.
Entering an absence request is quick and easy. Follow these simple steps:
- Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
- Select your child’s profile.
- Navigate to the Absence Request section.
- Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.
- Submit your request.
Visit this Absence Request Guide for detailed information on how to report absences.
Per the student handbook, students who know they will be absent for a reason other than a school-sponsored trip or school-sponsored activity must have a parent notify the school’s office in advance of the absence. This notification can be provided using the Absence Request tool outlined above, or by phone call, e-mail, or written note.
NEW! Security Practices – Please Read
One of the great things about Ankeny Schools is the community’s support of our athletics and activities. These events bring thousands of people together to celebrate the achievement of students. Because security is of utmost importance, the district continues to review its practices and identify areas of improvement at such events. As a result, we will be implementing some new security measures this Fall for our activities and events.
Security practices that will continue:
- Grades 6-12 must wear school ID while at the game
- Footballs are not allowed
- No baby powder, confetti, signs, noisemakers
- No weapons (real or look-alike)
- The North gate will remain secured at all times unless a team, band, or emergency personnel need access to the stadium
New security practices:
- Families will be encouraged to ensure that students in grades K-5 be accompanied by an adult
- Entrance to the stadium before an event will not be allowed
- There will be no re-entry after leaving the stadium
- Spectators will not be allowed to bring backpacks and large handbags into the stadium; Diaper bags or medical bags are allowed, but are subject to search
- No outside food or drink
- No access without a ticket or pass, including after halftime
These recommendations are the result of numerous conversations with security experts and a review of our current practices. Security can often be at odds with convenience. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for our students and spectators. We look forward to cheering on the Hawks and Jaguars with you this Fall.