Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Waukee’s strong test scores still led to an “Acceptable” rating
Spotted on the Waukee calendar: CHOW Chamber Happenings, Opportunities & Wisdom
Hi there, Waukee! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Waukee’s strong test scores still led to an “Acceptable” rating
- How Waukee schools handled an after-school staffer accused of intoxication
- How a Waukee runner dominated the Dutch Holiday Preview 3,000
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Waukee? Post it to Waukee photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Waukeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Waukee Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Waukee.
Find out what's happening in Waukeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 41 and low of 37 degrees.
- Thursday: Very windy; colder, temps: high: 41, low: 11. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 34 and low of 29 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Iowa School Performance Profile District Rankings Released - Waukee Community School District (waukeeschools.org) — Waukee families can now see how their school district scored in Iowa’s first-ever statewide performance rankings, where Waukee CSD landed in the “Acceptable” category after a technical category drop. The district still outperformed state averages in most academic areas, posted a 97% graduation rate, and earned the highest score among Iowa’s five largest districts, while outlining plans to improve support for students with disabilities and attendance. 
• Former Waukee Elementary School employee arrested, accused of caring for children while drunk (weareiowa.com) — Parents in Waukee should know that a former Beyond the Bell staff member at Waukee Elementary was arrested after staff suspected she was intoxicated while helping supervise children after school. Police say she showed signs of impairment and had alcohol in a water bottle, while the district stresses multiple adults were present and that she is no longer employed. District leaders emphasize student safety and say misinformation about children being in her sole care is inaccurate.
• Mile posts: Items on Mallory Lindaman, Millie Hill, Mike Jasa, Chase Knoche, Julia Gehl, Dylan Grandon, Courtney Sporrer (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — A Waukee-based runner, Austin O’Brien, highlighted a strong showing of Iowa-connected distance athletes by winning the men’s 3,000 meters at Central College’s Dutch Holiday Preview by more than 10 seconds. The roundup also spotlights record-setting performances and national-qualifying marks from collegiate and post-collegiate runners across multiple Iowa and regional indoor meets.
📸 Around Waukee
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Waukee
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- CHOW Chamber Happenings, Opportunities & Wisdom
Country Lane Lodge , 29300 Prospect Ave , Adel
11:30 am - Park Board Meeting
Waukee, IA Calendar , 230 W. Hickman Rd. , Waukee
6:00 pm - Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
Waukee, IA Calendar , 230 W. Hickman Rd. , Waukee
6:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Tuesday December 23
📣 Waukee Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Parks and Recreation Commission
City Hall , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
5:30 pm - Board of Appeals
Grimes, IA Calendar
12:01 am - CHOW Chamber Happenings, Opportunities & Wisdom
Country Lane Lodge , 29300 Prospect Cir , Adel
11:30 am - Clive Emerging Leaders: Getting It Together: Build Your Life Admin System
ServiceMaster by Rice - Construction Division , 7605 University Ave , Clive
1:00 pm - Band Concerts; 5/6th gr, 7/12th Jazz, Concert
Van Meter Comm School District Van Meter, IA 50261
5:00 pm - Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM Roosevelt DM Lincoln Fort Dodge (Junior Varsity)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
5:30 pm - Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM Roosevelt DM Lincoln Fort Dodge (Varsity)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
5:30 pm - Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Lincoln (JV1)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
4:45 pm - Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Lincoln (JV1)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
4:45 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Recommendations on where to donate used toys?
I know goodwill is always an option but I want to give directly so they don’t have to be purchased. Or if anyone is in need please feel free to… (Nextdoor South of Hickman)
- Cooper's Hawk posted a job opening for Porter in Clive. Apply here.
- Coffee & Bagel Brands posted a job opening for Team Member in Clive. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Waukee here.
🗞 Nearby News
Clive
- Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.1B ahead of Monday drawing (wqad.com)
- Expansive pool, patio kitchen featured in this $700,000 Clive home (desmoinesregister.com)
West Des Moines
- West Des Moines office park bought by large Chicago firm (desmoinesregister.com)
- The 25 Best Things I Ate At Iowa Restaurants in 2025 [GALLERY] (103wjod.com)
- Donald Trump sued the Register a year ago. Where does the case stand? (desmoinesregister.com)
Ok Waukee! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.