Ankeny High seniors Charles Christensen and Griffen Nye turn the microphones on and interview ACSD Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Darin Haack. Music is the topic so sit back and join in on song recommendations,

Let's Talk About It Student Takeover... High School Entrepreneurs

23 days ago 26m 15s

It's a podcast takeover by Ankeny Centennial graduated senior Mya Maronn. She's invited student entrepreneurs Logan Sobaski, Charli Brady, and Emma Bececk. Hear advice on pitfalls to avoid, pushing boundaries, and pursuing interests for the und

Let's Talk About... the ACSD Summer Food Program

Jun 6th, 2024 32m 29s

Burnt ends are on the menu today as the Ankeny Schools' Nutritional Services team launches the 2024 Summer Food Program. Director of Nutrition Services Scott Litchfield, Chef Joe Weitz, and Dietitian Susan Carlson have a lot to discuss and cele

Let's Talk About It: Parkview Middle School Student Takeover

Apr 2nd, 2024 17m 21s

Parkview Middle School student, Miles, has taken over the "Let's Talk About It" podcast! He takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of Parkview's 2024 spring play Goldilocks on Trial. Miles (actor) with fellow Parkview student Avery (set designer

Let's Talk About... Student Leadership

Mar 20th, 2024 33m

Student voices are crucial to a thriving academic community. This show introduces you to student school board representatives Megan Rembert and Kalyani Baht and Ankeny Centennial student council member Mya Maron. The next generation of leaders

Let's Talk About... The Teacher's Academy

Mar 8th, 2024 20m 38s

Ankeny Schools is preparing the next generation of public school teachers and administrators. Our Teacher's Academy is a concurrent course with Des Moines Area Community College's Foundations of Education where Ankeny students earn college cred

Let's Talk About... Core Skills, Soft Skills, and Mental Health

Jan 11th, 2024 50m 10s

Join guests Kayla Bell-Consolver the Director of the Counseling Center at Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake University, Shawn Beirman the Social-Emotional Learning Specialist at Ankeny Schools, and Al Neppl, Director of Professional and Lead

Let's Talk About... Project-Based Learning in Ankeny Schools

Dec 27th, 2023 37m 16s

We know students have different learning styles, so in this episode, we're shining a light on project-based learning (PBL). Our guests include Jason Clark, a teacher at Ankeny Centennial High School. He's adopted PBL as his method of teaching.

Let's Talk About... Opening Abbie Grove Elementary

Dec 12th, 2023 40m 16s

Opening Fall 2024! Dr. Pruitt has the new Abbie Grove principal- Andrew Burg, Executive Director of Elementary Education- Tara Owen, and District K-5 Teacher Librarian- Corissa Thompson on to give you a peek at what it takes to open an elementa

Let's talk about... Renewal Vote for Physical Plant & Equipment Levy

Oct 5th, 2023 11m 26s

On November 7, 2023, Ankeny residents will vote on the renewal of the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. This renewal happens every 10 years, and the funds are used by Ankeny Community Schools to make building repairs, purchase new equipment, a

Let's Talk About... Stepping into 6th Grade

May 9th, 2023 34m 41s

Podcast Guests: Northeast Elementary 5th grade teacher Kristen Recher, Parkview Middle School Counselor Nate Tobey, and Parkview Principal Ben Huebsch. Ankeny 5th graders have a big transition in the fall when they move from an elementary build

Let's Talk About... The Superintendent's Life

May 1st, 2023 35m 44s

What's it like being a school district superintendent? What challenges does education face in the next few years? Our guests answered these questions and more. Host and Ankeny Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt asked Des Moines area colleagues Dr.

Let's Talk About... Middle to High School Transitions

Apr 24th, 2023 37m 52s

New environments can mean excitement to one student, but anxiety to another. This podcast is "almost" everything you need to know about moving into 8th-grade and 10th-grade. Southview Middle School counselor Nicole Wee, Ankeny Centennial High S

Let's Talk About... Filling. Up. Every. Learner. (FUEL)

Apr 17th, 2023 36m 46s

Fill The Fund is an annual event focused on supporting the 'Filling Up Every Learner' (F.U.E.L.) fund. Pull up a seat to the table with our guests, IMPACT Community Action Partnership CEO- Anne Bacon, Wiedenman Family Foundation President - Bar

Let's Talk About... Ankeny HS's The Talon News

Apr 10th, 2023 21m 34s

Ankeny High School is producing the next generation of journalists. Award-winning news source, The Talon, is produced for and by students. Joining Dr. Pruitt to talk about what makes The Talon a great elective choice are editors Ava, Vivian, an

Let's Talk About... Ankeny Area Historical Society

Apr 4th, 2023 28m 35s

Explore the history of Ankeny in this episode with Ankeny Area Historical Society co-Chairs Jois Thorson ODonnell, JoAnn Kocheiser Adamson, and intern Avan Albaugh. It's a trip down memory lane with a peek into current exhibits and summer event

Let's Talk About... Social Emotional Learning

Mar 27th, 2023 38m 53s

Today, we are discussing the concept and integration of Social and Emotional Learning in the classroom, also referred to as SEL. Join Ankeny Schools staff members Shawn Bierman, Social Emotional Learning Specialist; Jason Aker, Principal at Pra

Let's Talk About... Employee & Family Services' Student Assistance Program

Mar 21st, 2023 19m 55s

Our guest, Steve Arneson, is from Employee and Family Resources Center. He is a partner with Ankeny Schools for the Student Assistance Program available in our schools and to families. Health and especially mental health are topics that school

Let's Talk About... Student Teaching

Feb 27th, 2023 19m 50s

Student teachers are the future of our Ankeny Schools. It's a critical phase in the development, and we are committed to providing a unique and rich experience to all placed in our district. It's our goal that every student teacher placed here,

Let's Talk About... Junior Achievement of Central Iowa

Feb 20th, 2023 30m 27s

Junior Achievement of Central Iowa is expanding their partnership with Ankeny Community Schools by adding the new 6th - 12th grade program, Financial Park©. This program, compliments the 5th grade program Biz Town©. Pull up a seat at the We Are

Let's Talk About... Senior Year, The Road to Graduation

Feb 13th, 2023 43m 48s

Graduation doesn't have to be stressful for students and parents. Let's talk about navigating senioritis, counting credits, and what to expect on commencement day with high school counselors Audrey Bell, Ashley Tatum, and Ashley Wilson. They're

Let's Talk About... School Budgets and Property Taxes

Feb 6th, 2023 26m 28s

Today's podcast guests are Randy Ripperger, Polk County Iowa's Property Assessor and Bryon Tack, Assistant Assessor. It doesn’t matter if you have children attending public school, if you own property in Polk County - click and turn up the volu

Let's Talk About... Innovative Secondary Schools

Jan 31st, 2023 41m 11s

If you could create an innovative secondary school any way you wanted, what would it be? Today's guests are on a panel reimagining the 6th through 12th-grade experience at Ankeny Schools (ACSD). JoinDr. Erick Pruitt as he hosts ACSD parent Amy

Let's Talk About the... Mentors In Violence Prevention Program

Jan 24th, 2023 45m 16s

The threat of school violence is everywhere, even in the Des Moines Metro and surrounding communities. The fear of violence can interfere with learning, friendships, and even how students envision and value their future. Mentors In Violence Pre

Let's Talk About... Secondary Math and Computer Science

Jan 16th, 2023 24m 36s

Dr. Erick Pruitt invites Carol Eddy, Director of Curriculum and Innovation back to the podcast to talk about the upcoming changes Ankeny Schools is making to the secondary math and computer science curriculum. The goal is to have kids understan