Dr. Buck’s Bulletin: Back-to-School
Dear Waukee CSD Families,
I hope you’re all having a safe and enjoyable summer! It’s hard to believe the 2024-25 school year is just around the corner. As we get ready to welcome students on Aug. 23, I want to share some back-to-school essentials. In this newsletter, you’ll find reminders, important information, and recent news.
Look for an upcoming email about important legislative updates for this year. Your student’s principal will also be reaching out with school-specific details, ensuring you’re fully informed for the first day. As a reminder, the PowerSchool parent portal will open on Aug. 16, when you’ll have a chance to see teacher assignments and class schedules, pay your fees, and more.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Sincerely,
Dr. Brad Buck
Superintendent
Important Information
Mark Your Calendar
- Aug. 7 – Back to School Resource Fair
- Aug. 16 – Teacher assignments and class schedules available on PowerSchool
- Aug. 21 – District-wide Open Houses and Sophomore New Student Orientation
- Aug. 23 – First day of school (K-12)
- Aug. 23-27 – Kindergarten Transition Days
- Aug. 29 – Preschool Open House
- Sept. 2 – No school (Labor Day)
- Sept. 3 – First day of preschool
For more details, see our district calendar.
Get Ready for the School Year
Here’s your checklist to get informed and prepared for the year:
- School Supplies – See the K-12 school supplies lists.
- District Apps – Check out the Family Info Hub to learn about the apps you’ll need, including PowerSchool, Canvas, ParentSquare, Securly, and more.
- School Building Info – Bookmark your student’s school page for details such as leadership contact information.
Transportation Reminders
Bus route information will be available in PowerSchool on Aug. 16. You’ll receive more specific information about your student’s bus schedule and pick-up time/location next month. If your busing needs have changed since you completed enrollment, please fill out the transportation request form as soon as possible to cancel services.
Requests for district-provided special needs transportation must be made by district personnel. Please work with your building.
Learn more about transportation, including information about the bus tracking app. For questions about busing, contact Durham School Services at 515-987-2788, or see this FAQ.
Nutrition Reminders
We offer breakfast and lunch daily at all K-12 school sites. Here is some helpful information:
- Meal Prices (menus will be added soon!)
- Meal Charging Policy
- Add Breakfast/Lunch Money in RevTrak
- SchoolCafe – View purchase history, set purchase limits, see menus, and more.
- Special Diet Accommodations
- Meal Donations – We now accept donations to help students in need. You can make a donation in RevTrak.
- Picnic & Play – Don’t forget we are serving FREE summer meals through Aug. 9!
Look for an email with more details, including Free and Reduced Meal eligibility applications, later this week. If you have any questions, contact nutrition@waukeeschools.org or 515-957-2719.
Recent News
All Waukee CSD Teams Advance to State Softball/Baseball
The Waukee High School and Northwest High School softball and baseball teams advanced to the state tournament, meaning our District represented four of the 16 tournament spots. Also, check out this story about Sophia Schlader, who was the starting pitcher for the NWHS softball team and led the conference in strikeouts — as an eighth grader!
Waukee CSD Hosts National Speech & Debate Tournament
In June, Waukee CSD hosted the National Speech & Debate Tournament, which welcomed about 6,700 students to the Des Moines metro. The following schools served as host sites: Northwest High School, Waukee High School, Prairieview, South Middle School, Timberline, and Waukee Middle School. See more photos from the event.
Waukee High School Alum Drafted to MLB
Jackson Wentworth, a 2021 graduate of Waukee High School, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. In this story, Jackson reflects on his memories of playing baseball at WHS, talks about the moment he was drafted in the fifth round, and give advice for young athletes who dream of playing in the pros.
Video: A Bus Driver’s Softball Spirit
Mike Trude isn’t just a bus driver — he’s the “grandpa” of the Northwest High School varsity softball team. He always drives the team to their away games and then heads to his spot by the fence to cheer. Watch this video to make your day a bit brighter!
Safety & Security
See Something, Say Something
To help ensure the safety and security of our students and staff, we encourage you to speak up when a situation feels wrong. Securly Tipline is a 24-hour tipline that provides anonymous communication for students, families, staff, and community members.
There are three ways to submit a tip:
- 1-833-300-STOP
- tipline@securly.com
- https://securly.com/tip
After a tip is submitted, a thorough risk assessment is performed. When an alert is determined to be urgent, it follows an escalation process to notify the school. Learn more about Waukee CSD safety and security.
Annual Notices
- Abuse of Students by District Employees and Volunteers
- Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy
- Complaint Procedures
- Corporal Punishment, Mechanical Restraint, and Prone Restraint
- Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited
- Eligibility for Free and Reduced Meals
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Fines, Fees, and Charges
- Homeless Children and Youth
- Annual Notice of Non-discrimination
- Notice of Rights – Section 504
- Open Enrollment
- Parent & Family Engagement
- Objection to Instructional Materials and Reconsideration Procedures
- Student Records Access
- Use of Recording Devices in School Buildings and on School Buses
- Weapons
For more news, stories, and updates, follow @WaukeeCSD on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Waukee CSD District Office
560 SE University Ave
Waukee, IA 50263
