Archive | May, 2012

Fisher students hold Reader’s Theater in “Cat’s Café”

16 May

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For a little while on Tuesday, May 15, Courtney Lenz’s third grade classroom at Fisher Elementary took on the appearances of a hip and trendy bistro. Tables were set, (battery-operated) candles flickered, and light refreshments were served.

It wasn’t the ambiance, however, that drew a large crowd to Cat’s Café, but the Reader’s Theater performances by Ms. Lenz’s third grade students.

Throughout the year, Ms. Lenz’s students use Reader’s Theater scripts to work on reading fluency. With Reader’s Theater, students practice accuracy, rate, expression and volume. Several weeks ago, each reading group chose a favorite Reader’s Theater script from the year and rehearsed it to perform Tuesday.

“Through the use of props and costumes, the performances were a HUGE success!” Ms. Lenz said. “It truly is exciting to see so many parents and family members involved in their student’s learning.”

Ms. Lenz says she plans to make Cat’s Café an annual event.

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MCSD students win meritorious awards at Project Share

15 May

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Marshalltown students received four of the 10 “meritorious awards” granted during Project Share, the two-day student project showcase May 10-11, 2012, at Marshalltown Community College.

Approximately 80 projects from 17 area school districts were judged on each day, with five awards given Thursday (third and fourth grade students) and five on Friday (fifth and sixth grade students.

MCSD Meritorious Awards (Thursday):

  • Trevor Ketcham – Anson Elementary
  • Wyatt DeMeyer – Franklin Elementary
  • Kaylee Foth – Franklin Elementary

MCSD Meritorious Awards (Friday):

  • Eve Netteshiem – Lenihan Intermediate

Project Share provides a fun venue for area students who are involved in their school districts’ enrichment programs. During this event these high-ability students showcase their independent study projects and have the opportunity to share their expertise with a supportive audience.

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Orchestras hold Spring Pops Concert May 15

15 May

All orchestras in the Marshalltown Community School District will present their annual Spring Pops concert Tuesday, May 15, at 7pm in the MHS/Community Auditorium.

This year’s theme is Rock & R oll. There will be a mix of classic and modern rock and roll with a few surprises along the way. A few of the highlights include music from bands like Led Zepplin, Journey, The Who, The Doors and Coldplay. Admission is free, but free-will donations will be accepted at the door.

Find your favorite jeans and dig out that old Beatles t-shirt and join us for an evening of rock classics…no ear plugs required!

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Senator Harkin’s staff tour Woodbury Elementary

14 May

Woodbury Principal Sarah Johnson (front) discusses the Dual Language Program with Laura Sands from Sen. Tom Harkin’s office. Sands and Harkin rep Omar Padilla (background) observed classrooms at Woodbury on May 10.

Representatives from U.S. Senator Tom Harkin’s office visited Woodbury Elementary May 10, observing classrooms and learning more about the Dual Language Program.

Laura Sands and Omar Padilla from Sen. Harkin’s office in Des Moines met with Principal Sarah Johnson; Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement; and Rachel Inks, coordinator of English Language Learner and Dual Language Program services.

The representatives decided to visit after hearing a presentation about the program at the Diversity Conference held April 13 at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. The group observed classes taught in English and Spanish, visiting kindergarten (taught by Anel Garza), second grade (taught by Luisa Romero) and fourth grade (taught by Jamie Williams).

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New math curriculum, more AP courses heading for MHS

14 May

This fall Marshalltown High School will implement a new math curriculum, as well as add more Advanced Placement course offerings for students.

The new curriculum has a more traditional class format, with a year each of Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. Implementation will be gradual, allowing students currently part of the Integrated Math program to complete the coursework. This fall Pre-Algebra and Algebra I will be added, followed by Geometry in 2013-2014 and Algebra II in 2014-2015.

“The greatest benefit of a single-tiered system is having the same high expectations for every student,” said Angela Pierce, MHS math teacher. “We’re excited that our new curriculum will offer students more current applications, online resources and differentiation.”

The single-tiered system will allow students to follow a common path, but begin at different stages according to ability (determined by MAP and Iowa Assessments scores, teacher recommendations and success in previous coursework).

Along with the new curriculum, MHS will continue offering Statistics as an upper-level math elective and dual-enrollment options for Pre-Calculus and Calculus with Marshalltown Community College.

MHS is also increasing the number of Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered for 2012-2013. New to MHS this fall will be AP Language & Composition, AP Literature & Composition and AP European History

“The AP classes are far more rigorous and give students the chance to earn college credit,” said Aiddy Phomvisay, MHS principal. “We intend to review other areas and consider additional AP courses or dual enrolled courses in the years to come.”

Advanced Course Offerings 2012-2013
Advanced American History I Web Design*
AP American History II Pre-Calculus*
Gereral Chemistry I & II* Calculus I & II*
AP Economics Composition I & II*
AP European History AP Literature & Composition
AP Government AP Language & Composition
AP Psychology
*college credit provided

Some classes previously labeled as “advanced”, such as Advanced English 9, 10, and 11, will be phased out as new, more rigorous literacy curriculum is implemented in the fall. A new upper-level English class, English – Senior Survey, will also be added.

“Teachers are also working hard to differentiate the curriculum in these course so all students’ learning needs are met,” Phomvisay said.

Next year MHS will also begin planning for a new Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) program through Project Lead the Way. The Gateway to Technology curriculum will start at Miller Middle School in the fall, with plans for implementation at MHS in 2013-2014.

“I appreciate the community’s support and desire to be highly competitive with other districts,” Phomvisay said.

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Project Share begins Thursday

9 May

Project Share 2011.

Marshalltown Community School District is co-sponsoring the annual “Project Share” event with Marshalltown Community College Thursday and Friday, May 10-11, at MCC.

Seventeen area school districts have registered a total of 210 students to attend, with May 10 being designated for third and fourth graders and May 11 designated for fifth and sixth graders.

“Project Share” provides a fun venue for area students who are involved in their school districts’ enrichment programs. During this event these high-ability students showcase their independent study projects and have the opportunity to share their expertise with a supportive audience.

This year the Science Center of Iowa will be presenting “How’d They Do That” which explains the science involved with special effects and optional illusions in movies and film.  Students will also rotate through sessions to learn a variety of topics presented by various experts in a college-like atmosphere.

Generous donations from Fisher Controls and Lennox are covering the cost of the opening speaker and hands-on student materials. Students have worked hard to complete their projects and prepare for this fun day of learning.

The public is welcome to attend.

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MHS musicians earn honors at IHSMA Large Group Festival

7 May

Marshalltown High School musicians competed at the IHSMA Large Group Festival May 4-5, bringing home a number of top honors.

The orchestra competed at Valley High School in West Des Moines Friday, May 4, earning a Division I rating from all three judges. Orchestra Megan Stucky says this is the first Division I rating for the orchestra in 19 years.

“The orchestra program has tripled in size over the last six years and the students have worked extremely hard for this achievement!” Stucky said.

Other orchestras competing in West Des Moines were from Valley, Roosevelt, Hoover, Urbandale, Indianola and Boone.

MHS Wind Symphony and Symphonic Bands performed at Des Moines Roosevelt High School Saturday, May 5. The Wind Symphony continued its tradition of consistent Division I ratings earning top ratings from all 3 judges with a total score of 115 out of 120 possible points. The Symphonic Band earned a solid Division II rating with an excellent performance by the students.

The Treble and Concert choirs also competed at Roosevelt, earning the Division II rating with excellent performances.

Other schools in attendance with bands and/or choirs included Des Moines Roosevelt, Des Moines East, Des Moines North, Johnston, Urbandale, Southeast Polk, Newton, Ames, Ottumwa, and Ankeny.

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MHS student will head to national speech contest

4 May

Ilene Finn said she didn’t even expect to win a local speech contest this spring. So her current run to a national competition has surprised her.

The Marshalltown High School sophomore has advanced to the national event of the National Management Association contest with her speech on leadership titled “What is a Leader?”

Read the full story in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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MHS students invited to Iowa Youth Institute

3 May

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Marshalltown High School students Abby Snyder and Emma Runquist were among 300 Iowa high school students invited to attend the first Iowa Youth Institute held at Iowa State University Monday, April 30.

This new program, an extension of the World Food Prize’s existing youth programs, aims to challenge and inspire Iowa students to think globally and consider opportunities in the sciences as they embark on their careers and post-secondary studies.

Snyder and Runquist were selected for the Institute after researching and writing a paper on the topic “Cultivating Innovations to Feed the World”. An expert committee evaluated papers before students were invited to participate.

During this unique daylong program, students toured research facilities, labs and other ongoing projects on the Iowa State University campus. The also presented research papers they’d written on a chosen aspect of global food security and interacted with Iowa business and industry leaders, academics, legislative officials and their peers.

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MHS senior wins National Merit Scholarship

3 May

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced today that Marshalltown High School senior Molly Finn is winner of a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.

The 2,500 Merit Scholar winners were chosen from a talent pool or more than 15,000 outstanding finalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. They were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. The scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

All Finalists competed for these awards. To select scholarship winners, a committee of educators appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

About the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Competition

This year’s competition for National Merit Scholarships began in October 2010 when approximately 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools took the Preliminary sat/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (psat/nmsqt®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Last fall, the highest-scoring participants in each state, representing less than one percent of the nation’s high school seniors, were named Semifinalists on a state representational basis. Only these 16,000 Semifinalists had an opportunity to continue in the competition.

From the Semifinalist group, 15,000 students met the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. By the conclusion of the 2012 program, about 8,300 Finalists will have earned the “Merit Scholar” title and received a total of over $35 million in college scholarships.

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