💬 Read what one parent had to say about Kelsey:
“Kelsey is truly amazing and has exceeded my expectations not only as a teacher, but also as a person and a friend. She has been incredibly supportive during a very difficult time in my life and consistently shows genuine care and dedication to my kid. Her compassion, kindness, and commitment mean more to our family than words can express.”
As a reminder, you can submit a shoutout here:
https://forms.gle/ryxw63QNCEQrtkdMA
WACO fans, join us for a night of basketball and giving back! The Highland Boys & Girls Basketball Teams are hosting the 2nd Annual Christmas in the Dog Pound at Highland on Thursday, December 18th with games starting at 4:30.
🎁 Admission = One Unwrapped Toy
All toy donations will support children at the Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, helping bring smiles to kids spending the holidays away from home.
✨ Suggested donations include toys for all ages—games, books, crafts, Legos, plush animals, and more!
⚠️ Please note: no riding toys or toy weapons.
Come cheer on our team, support a great cause, and help us spread some holiday joy! We’d love to see the WACO community there !
WACO's boys wrestling will be going to Springville tomorrow (12/13). This is a change from the previously scheduled tournament. Start time is still 10:00am.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will not set up for the Christmas concert today at 2:00pm.
The concert is still on for Sunday at 2:00pm. Hope to see you there.
WACO Families,
WACO CSD will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. today, December 11th, due to forecasted weather conditions. All evening activities and all practices are cancelled, and school buildings will remain closed for the remainder of the day.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Both boys' and girls' basketball will practice after school.
JH Girls BB is still going to Lone Tree tonight for their game.
The JH Girls' BB game at Lone Tree and the HS BB games at WACO tonight are still happening.
❄️ With the snow accumulation we received this past weekend—now is a great time to review how WACO CSD handles potential interruptions or cancellations to the school schedule due to winter weather. Safety is always our top priority, and any changes to the schedule will be communicated as early as possible. Please refer to the images attached to this post for more details.
☃️ As we prepare for the winter season, here are some helpful resources:
• Dressing for Cold Weather: https://www.weather.gov/.../Winter-Dress-Infographic.jpg
Let’s hope for a safe and manageable winter season ahead!
💬 Read what one student had to say about Mrs. Rich's teaching:
“Always making the classroom fun and engaging!"
As a reminder, you can submit a shoutout here:
https://forms.gle/ryxw63QNCEQrtkdMA
If you have not registered your student-athlete for their winter sport, please follow the link below and register them.
https://manager.gobound.com/registration/ia/school/waco/family
We’re continually working to improve how we communicate with our students, families, and community—and this update is another big step forward. The new look is cleaner, easier to navigate, and designed to help you find what you need quickly.
Check it out here 👉 https://www.wacocsd.org/
💬 Read what one colleague had to say:
“There are so many reasons why Mrs. Baldosier is fantastic. She is always recognizing students inside and outside of her class of safe, respectful, and responsible behavior no matter where she is at. This brightens the day of all students - not just those in her classroom! She cares for every student in her room as her own. She treats them with compassion, empathy, and respect. She goes above and beyond to accommodate every learner's needs, whether it is academic, social, emotional, or all of the above. She is always asking the question "what else can we try?" Lastly, she truly listens to students, no matter how small the problem may seem. She takes the time to help them build problem solving skills. Her calm radiates to those around her. I am so thankful to have Mrs. Baldosier as part of the WACO family!”
As a reminder, you can submit a shoutout here:
https://forms.gle/ryxw63QNCEQrtkdMA
💬 Read what one colleague had to say:
"Abbey helps make WACO a better place every day. The intentional interactions she has with our students throughout the day are a huge part of what makes us great. Whether it’s checking in with students as they arrive each morning, consistent and relevant classroom guidance lessons, goal setting with individuals, providing resources to families, or making sure she is present at events in the evenings so she supports our kids, Abbey is a light for Warriors that shines bright every day. She works extremely hard to make sure all students are seen, heard, and feel safe at school. She goes out of her way to take care of all of us, and we are so fortunate she is at WACO!"
As a reminder, you can submit a shoutout here:
https://forms.gle/ryxw63QNCEQrtkdMA
Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4th, WACO CSD voters will have the opportunity to renew our voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) — a crucial source of funding for our schools.
✅ This is not a new tax — it’s a continuation of the existing levy that supports:
🏫 Facility and roof repairs
💻 Student technology
🚍 Transportation and buses
🔒 Safety and security upgrades
These funds cannot be used for salaries but protect our General Fund by covering essential facility and equipment needs.
Renewal of the current $1.34 per $1,000 levy would maintain this vital support for the next 10 years — with no increase in property tax rates.
More than 85% of Iowa school districts rely on a voted PPEL to ensure safe, high-quality learning environments. Let’s keep WACO strong and future-focused!
🗳️ Remember to cast your vote tomorrow, November 4th!
Every vote matters — thank you for supporting WACO students, staff, and schools!
Our WACO Staff Shoutout this week goes to Special Education Coordinator: Mrs. Brenna Shaffer
💬 Read what one colleague had to say:
“Brenna works behind the scenes tirelessly to ensure that every student receives the services and support they need to thrive. As our Special Education Coordinator, she is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to best practices, compliance, and individualized instruction. She consistently goes above and beyond to support teachers, staff, students, and families—often taking extra time to problem-solve, collaborate, and advocate for what’s best for learners.
No matter the challenge, Brenna is always willing to go the extra mile for students, making sure each one feels seen, valued, and capable of success. Her dedication, compassion, and expertise make a profound difference in the lives of students and the entire school community."
As a reminder, you can submit a shoutout here:
https://forms.gle/ryxw63QNCEQrtkdMA
💬 Read what one colleague had to say:
“Mrs. Sizemore is one of the most dedicated teachers I've met in my nearly 20 years in education. She simply refuses to let students fall behind. She is constantly fine-tuning her practice to fit the needs of her kindergarteners, and her relentless pursuit of ways to help each and every child learn is outstanding. On a recent vist, our AEA literacy consultant made a comment that "Every student teacher in SE Iowa should spend time in Kristine Sizemore's room." WOW! We are incredibly fortunate to have Kristine at WACO.”
As a reminder, you can submit a shoutout here:
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd1eSVbbJH.../viewform...
A voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) for the WACO CSD is on the ballot Tuesday, November 4th!
This is not a new tax — it’s a continuation of the existing levy that generates critical funds for infrastructure, technology, transportation, and safety upgrades across the district.
These funds cannot be used for salaries, but they protect our General Fund by covering facility and equipment needs.
WACO’s current voted PPEL of $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property value expires June 30, 2026. Renewal would continue this vital funding for 10 more years — with no increase in property tax rates.
More than 85% of Iowa school districts rely on a voted PPEL to fund essential facility and equipment needs. These funds can only be used for:
🏫 Facility and roof repairs
💻 Technology for students
🚍 Transportation and buses
🔒 Safety and security improvements
Remember to vote this November! If you have questions about your polling place visit: https://apps.sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx
A successful PPEL vote provides long-term stability for maintaining and improving our schools and ensures our students have safe, high-quality learning environments.
