The Hampton-Dumont Community School Board approved the 2021-22 school calendar during their regular meeting on Monday, May 17. However, the calendar may need to be amended before the next school year starts.
A week of Spring Break was included into the calendar between March 14-18, however that decision was made when it seemed like the state legislature would allow schools to use virtual learning on snow days.
"We thought there was traction on virtual learning, but that bill died," said Superintendent Todd Lettow.
The Hampton City Council presented Jeff and Tracy Spear with the city's Image of Pride Award during their regular meeting on Thursday, May 13.
In a bit of a change from previous years, this year the city will be focusing the Image of Pride Award to property owners that have spruced up homes that have otherwise not been well kept.
"We've been focusing on folks that have really nice properties and have kept them up well," said council member Dick Lukensmeyer. "They have taken four properties that have been total… bad pieces."
Hampton-Dumont hosted an Agriculture Fair on Monday, May 17 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. The third and fourth graders of Hampton-Dumont/CAL schools came out to learn all about equipment, farm, and animal safety through a unique opportunity that was organized by the FFA club in conjunction with Iowa Farm Bureau.
“Kids nowadays don’t necessarily grow up on farms so it’s good they get to see this,” said agriculture teacher Kyle O’Brien.
Sukup Manufacturing Co. has announced another acquisition in Hampton to expand their manufacturing capabilities.
The Sheffield-based company announced last week that they have acquired certain assets of Global Fabrication Inc., another agricultural and industrial manufacturing business located in Hampton's industrial park.
The Hampton Tree Board celebrated Earth Day by planting 30 trees in East Park on Thursday, April 22.
Sugar Maples, Swamp White Oak, Swamp Bur Oak, Northern Catalpa, Northern Red Oak, White Pine, Eastern Red Cedar, Cathedral Elm, and Red Bud were among the variety of trees planted by the group. By planting a wide variety of trees, the group hopes to mitigate the risk of damage from pests like the Emerald Ash Borer.
"Diversity is the key to longevity," said Randy Sanders.
The Hampton City Council continued discussion on traffic enforcement and approved plans for two summer street projects during their regular meeting on Thursday, April 22.
At the meeting, the council acknowledged additional feedback regarding the ongoing discussion about traffic enforcement in the south east part of the city.
Five generations came together in Hampton on Saturday as Beverly Perez was introduced to her great, great granddaughter, Sawyer Hammerschmidt.
Baby Sawyer was brought to Hampton from Minnesota by her mother, Alex Chaney, and grandmother, Mandy Perez. The trio of girls spent time in town visiting with Beverly and Sawyer's great grandfather, Delbert Perez.
The H-D/CAL High School Drama Club presented "A California Surfer in Cleopatra's Court" this weekend.
Performing on Friday and Saturday evening at Church of the Living Word Auditorium, the play told the tale of a time-displaced surfer navigating the politics of ancient Egypt intermingled with popular songs from the 1960s.
The Hampton-Dumont Community School Board discussed tech upgrades, building improvements, virtual learning, and calendar changes during their regular board meeting on Monday, April 12.
Setting the calendar for next year, the board scheduled a public hearing to approve the 2021-22 school year. The proposed school year would begin on Tuesday, August 24 with the end of the semester on Friday, January 14. The second semester would begin on Tuesday, January 18 with the tentative final day of school scheduled for May 27.
Ancient Egypt is in for a wild ride when a 1960s surfer-dude finds himself wiping out in the distance past. The HD-CAL Drama Department is preparing for their spring musical, "A California Surfer in Cleopatra's Court, which will be performed on April 16 and 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of the Living Word auditorium.
