Three Forest City High School students and FFA members, supported by FFA Advisor Ryan Faught and others, have worked hard to bring a very cool project to life.

Jacob Beenken, Landon Patten and Chase Sorensen embarked on a journey several months ago to raise funds to purchase a land surveying drone with the goal of offering aerial photography and surveying services for area farmers.

They started by putting a business plan together and successfully raised $5,600 from generous donors to support this project. This funding covered the cost of the recently purchased Autel 2 Evo Pro V3 drone, a land surveying drone with a 6k camera that not only takes awesome aerial photos but can also provide precise land surveying information to create prescriptions, spot irregularities in crops, and create detailed growth maps.

To promote their services, the students have created a website, www.forestcityffaaerialphotography.com. They offer survey options as a cost per acre and various aerial photography packages.

Drone technology is a rapidly growing part of the commercial ag industry. It provides many occupational opportunities and new more productive ways to produce crops.

Jacob Beenken, as part of the requirement to launch this project, obtained his Part 107 Remote Pilot License from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly the drone. This training covered topics including regulations related to small unmanned aircraft systems, operating requirements, emergency procedures and privacy. Beenken and Patten also worked with Matt Maus, of HTS Ag, who delivered the drone to the group and provided training on the setup, software and operation. They are not aware of another FFA group that has tacked a project such as this.

Forest City Schools is proud of these students for taking an idea, putting together a plan and seeing it through to completion. The group is excited to bring this technology to local farmers and to gain real-world experience.

Many districts across the state have adopted or are working on a new initiative called, Portrait of a Graduate," which is a new way of looking at education beyond student or district test scores. Instead, it emphasizes the skills, knowledge and dispositions that will help students succeed in all areas of their lives to be college, career and future-ready no matter their path.

Director of Teaching and Learning Zach Dillavou is leading a 35-member community team focused on learning more about this initiative. Over the next several months, the committee will partner with the Board of Education, teachers and staff, our business community and our students to identify our districts' needs and most importantly the skills, knowledge and dispositions to focus on.

Watch for more information on this important work!

The Forest City Middle School is looking forward to its annual "Mini Relay for Life" week from April 29-May 3!

Mini Relay for Life supports the American Cancer Society and the fight against cancer.

The week is about education and fundraising. Classes will compete in an event called "Penny Wars" and the grand finale of the week is something that the students have been asking for... a Middle School dance that will be held on May 2. The dance entry fee is $5 (includes two pieces of pizza) and dancing times are 5th/6th grade from 6-7:30 p.m. and 7th/8th grade from 7:45 -9:15 p.m.

You can help by sending pennies! Other donations to support this cause are appreciated as well.

Limited spots are available with a focus on improving reading and math skills (invite-based program). Free breakfast and lunch are provided via the Summer Food Program.

Summer learning is open to students entering grades 5, 6, and 7. Free breakfast and lunch are provided via the Summer Food Program. Students will take part in fun hands-on science projects and reading and writing workshops.

This session is provided for students who need to remediate a course. Contact Mr. Baker at 641-585-2324 or kbaker@forestcity.k12.ia.us for additional information.