Midlands of Iowa Reading Council

Who we are: We are a local council affiliated with the Iowa Reading Association and the International Reading Association. Midlands of Iowa has been a council in good standing for 31 years.

Mission: The mission of the Iowa Reading Association, an interactive group of individuals interested in reading, is to promote literacy through leadership, educational programming, and legislative endeavors.

Membership: Membership is open to all educators, administrators, media specialists, parents and others interested in promoting literacy education. Annual Dues are $30 for our local and state membership. Contact one of our officers for information and a membership form. Membership information for the International Reading Association can be found at www.reading.org

Student Contests: Each school year Midlands of Iowa sponsors a Poetry Writing Contest and a Creative Story Writing Contest. Both contests are open to all K-12th grade students in our local council area (Fremont, Mills, and Pottawattamie Counties). Contest guidelines are available by contacting MIRC president Nancy Wright.
Deadline for entries is December 19, 2008.

Service Project: MIRC supports the "Operation Bedtime Stories" charitable foundation. This foundation provides books for children of all ages in stressful situations. Books have been donated to Open Door Mission in Omaha, Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, and the Mills County Love Tree project, just to name a few recipients.

Officers:
Debra Wake, President (F-M Schools, Tabor)
Heidi Stangl, Vice-president (F-M Schools, Tabor)
Patty Gillespie, President Elect (TJHS, Council Bluffs)
Karen Hansen, Treasurer/Membership (NE Elementary, Glenwood)
Wendy Matson, Secretary (Tri-Center Schools)

Click here for 2009 writing/poetry contest forms

Midlands of Iowa Reading Council is Traveling through Iowa
Presentation: Traveling through Iowa with author Mike Whye
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009
Where: Bowley’s Bistro & Coffee Grounds
325 Main Street Malvern, IA
Time: 5: 30 p.m. Order off the menu

College credit is available through Drake University for those attending all of the Midlands meetings. If you are interested, please be sure to attend the September meeting. Those wanting to pre-register may do so at: https://aea13.org/register

Click on credit course, 1 credit, Reading Course, Adventure in Literacy Learning

Questions, please call Patty Gillespie 312-6244

Meeting Schedule

Thursday September 17, 2009
Traveling through Iowa
Mike Whye, author
Bowley’s Bistro & Coffee Ground, 315 Main Street, Malvern, IA
5:30 p.m. Order off the menu

October 15, 2009, Thursday
Trekking through Technology
Using technology for education and “fun”
Fremont Mills Elementary School
5:30 p.m. Soup Supper $5

November 19, 2009, Thursday
Moving into new territory:
Six-Traits Writing with Beverly Hall and Vocabulary Development with Margaret Trauernicht
Northeast Elementary School, Glenwood
5:30 p.m. Dinner $5

January 21, 2010 (snow date January 28)
Flying with Fluency by Sue Kelso and Reader’s Theater/Poetry with Debra Wake
West Elementary School, Glenwood
5:30 p.m. Pizza Party $5

March 23, 2010 (snow date March 25)
Reaching the Top: Celebration of creative writing and poetry contest winners.
Tracy Lovett, author of Bug Summer will present.
Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs
7:00 p.m.

April 15, 2010, Thursday
Take a Train Ride with
Pippa White’s presentation of the Orphan Train.
Council Bluffs Public Library
5:30 p.m. Snack provided

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