Latest news with #PellaMiddleSchool
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bill aimed at growing rural hospital workforces
GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds signed her top priority into law on Wednesday afternoon. The Governor signed her own proposed legislation at the Guthrie County Hospital, with state health care leaders, lawmakers and health care workers in attendance. The bill, HF 972, has a plethora of provisions aimed at incentivizing medical students in the state to practice here. 'Iowa ranks 40th in the number of residency slots available to medical students, which means many of our graduates from Iowa medical schools don't get a chance to continue their education and training here,' said Reynolds. The bill sets up a loan repayment program for medical students who commit to work in a rural health care system for at least five years — doubling the funding of the existing program to nearly $8 million. Families part ways with 1,800 Iowa soldiers at deployment sendoff ceremonies Iowa Health and Human Services is also directed to work on receiving $150 million in federal funding that will allow 115 new residency slots to be added annually to Iowa's medical schools. 'Just three to four years from now, the amount of time it takes for a typical residency rotation, we could have up to 450 more physicians being trained right here in Iowa, with some ready to enter the workforce, and we're going to be ready for them,' said Reynolds. The legislation also sets up a $3 million health care credential granting program that will allow hospitals to educate and train future health care workers. 'It's no secret there's a physician shortage and a nurse shortage,' said Chris Stipe, the CEO of the Guthrie County Hospital. 'But let's be honest, there's a shortage of all qualified health care workers in nearly every field. And workforce shortages are often more severe in smaller communities. If we are to continue to effectively care for our rural Iowa communities, critical strategies such as loan forgiveness programs and graduate medical education programs must be funded and expanded and run efficiently.' Governor Reynolds also signed another bill, HF 310, into law that expands the legal definition of 'health care provider' to protect more health care workers who are assaulted while at work by an individual. Outside of expanding the definition, the penalties were increased for anyone who commits the crime. Iowa News: Forecast: Thursday raindrops, then heat Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bill aimed at growing rural hospital workforces Families part ways with 1,800 Iowa soldiers at deployment send-off ceremonies Funnel clouds reported in Iowa today Pella Middle School teacher earns Golden Apple Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pella Middle School teacher earns Golden Apple
PELLA, Iowa — The Golden Apple often goes to teachers who have decades of experience in the classroom. Sometimes, we find younger teachers who are making a big difference, too. Just like his name, Hayden Vroom is always on the go and oftentimes loud. 'You can throw kids off by just yelling or standing in a weird spot. Like, if you stand on a desk, they're like 'Whoa what is this guy doing?' But you have their attention all of a sudden,' Vroom explains. 'Anyway, you can get their attention, and if crazy is how you get their attention, then it works.' It works for this math and science teacher who is only in his third year of his first teaching job at Pella Middle School. 'I'm far from the best teacher in the building actually, as far as teaching strategies and all that,' Vroom said. 'But when it comes to passion and energy, I feel like I bring that every single day.' Nominate your favorite teacher for the Golden Apple Award! Passion and energy that make his students want to learn. 'There's never really a dull moment. Like he can always just make someone laugh,' Lauren Van Kley, 8th grade student, said. 'And science has never really been my favorite subject, but he always just finds a way to make it fun.' And teachers want to teach. 'Because of him, everyone has more energy,' fellow teacher Cody DeKruyff said. 'There's more effort given to learning. There's more just overall positivity. And you can feel it when you step into his classroom and areas around it also.' Encouragement that's felt by everyone Mr. Vroom crosses paths with. 'He's just like a pure light in this school,' Sibley Carlstone, 8th grade student, said. 'He never fails to try to get to know all the students. And he's so energetic, and it really brightens everyone's day around here.' It's why several of his students and fellow teachers nominated Mr. Vroom for the Golden Apple. 'Wow… that was like the best kept secret ever,' Vroom said when accepting the award, 'I had no idea, that's kinda awesome. Wow, I'm honored. I'm actually speechless which is saying something because I'm never speechless.' A recognition for a teacher who's always called Pella home. Vroom graduated from Pella Christian and went to Central College to study education. A career path he credits back to the teachers he had in school. 'I think the stereotypical answer is I had some really good role models in my life,' Vroom said. 'Wow, he [one of his former teachers] made history fun. This guy was crazy in his own way. He talked about video games sometimes. Like he was just a person. I'm like man, he's real. He's real. And I'm like I want to be that. I want to be real to kids.' And so far, he's doing just that. 'He also really tries to connect with students,' Van Kley said. 'He's not really like what you think of as a teacher, he's also kind of like a friend and someone you can really trust.' More: Golden Apple Award winners Another 8th-grade student, Kaitlyn Weaver, described him as a 'very caring guy' who cares about everyone. 'They all come from something different, right? You never know what they're coming in with every single day and meeting them where they're at is kind of a big deal to me,' Vroom said. 'And I feel like every single day, you can bring joy. So I try to meet them with some joy every single day and seeing a smile is a win in my book.' Mr. Vroom is also known as 'Coach Vroom.' He is the middle school girls' track coach, as well as an assistant coach for the high school football team. Check out the extended interview with Mr. Vroom below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Pella police seeking help to locate missing juveniles
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Pella Police Department is asking for help from the public to find two missing two girls, 13-year-old Caitlin and 12-year-old Luthian were reported missing around 6:45 Sunday evening. They were last seen near Pella Middle School. Police believe they are together. Caitlin was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and green pants, and Luthian was last seen in a black shirt with yellow print and blue you see them or have any information on their whereabouts, call the Pella Police Department at 641-628-4921. Pella police seeking help to locate missing juveniles Fire ravages Newton's Moose Lodge Forecast: Windy Monday, storm chances Decorah man to use lottery winnings on project for dog WATCH: Gov. Reynolds gets tearful on decision not to seek re-election in 2026, comments on future of Iowa GOP Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
