Boomerang program at the Decorah Middle School being called a success

Decorah Middle School 7th grade students have completed an entire semester of participating in a number of community service activities.  Students installed plantings at the Fish Hatchery and did yard maintenance at the Winneshiek Medical Center, Aase Haugen Homes, Phelps Park and the city softball diamonds.  The students planted annuals and perennials, washed windows, spread mulch, spread sand, raked leaves and pulled many, many weeds.

The community service work was part of the Boomerang program, a cooperative effort of the middle school, Decorah High School, and the Winneshiek County Extension Service.  The Boomerang program is aimed at developing positive character education skills.  The character traits of caring, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and citizenship are applied to the basic human needs of belonging, independence, mastery and generosity.

High school Boomerang teachers this year were Nicole Poirier, Kelsey Wagner, Katie Belay, Kylie Kruse, Jacinda Barth, David Pellett, Monica Gossling, Tayla Begnaud, Seth Christopher, Allison Breeser, Paige Smutzler, Abby Theisen, Lindsey Lloyd, Kylie Olson, and Kyla Leliefield.   7th grade teachers involved in the community service day were Randy Iverson, Meg Storkamp, Jannelle Fulsaas, Kris Lynch, and Pat Billiet.