Bobcats Making Headlines

Miller Middle School cross country runners Ellie Draisey, left, and Diana Castro exemplified character and compassion as they helped a runner from an opposing team at a meet on September 22 in Indianola. They will be honored by the school board during the October 3 board meeting.

Two Miller Middle School cross country runners who exemplified unselfishness and compassion to a runner on an opposing team will be recognized by the Marshalltown School Board during the October 3 board meeting.

Seventh grader Ellie Draisey and eighth grader Diana Castro saw a runner from Dowling Catholic struggling during a race at Indianola on September 22. The two slowed down, offered encouragement to the Dowling runner, and then asked her to finish the race with them. It turns out the runner was running in her first meet since suffering a stress fracture injury.

The act of kindness struck the Dowling runner’s dad so much that he sent a note to Miller Principal Pat Rial that night indicating the Miller girls displayed “good character.”

“It gave me goose bumps,” Rial said of his reaction when he read the email from the parent. “We have good kids at Miller and we have good things going on. I was proud of them.”

Draisey said encouragement helps when running cross country races.

“If you are struggling, it helps to have encouragement,” Draisey said.

Castro said her family is proud of her, especially since she’s an older sister and is setting a good example for her younger brother and sister.

“They feel happy for me because I’m like a role model for them,” Castro said.

The two will be honored at the school board meeting at 5 p.m. on October 3 in school district offices at 1002 S. 3^rd. Ave.

These four Marshalltown High School students attended the Student Environmental Conference in Dubuque on September 22 and 23. Pictured are, from left, Monica Carroll, Ana Nolasco, Emily Sickles and Hannah Gardea.

Four students from Marshalltown High School attended the Student Environmental Conference held at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque on September 22 and 23.

The students who attended were Monica Carroll, Ana Nolasco, Emily Sickles and Hannah Gardea.

Activities at the conference included: learning about the Mississippi River Watershed from federal and state employees who work to protect it, netting fish from boats on the river, taking part in a study to protect the endangered Higgins Eye Mussel, participating in water quality testing, and sharing ideas with other students at the conference on how they might work in their areas to protect the Mississippi Watershed.

These four students are members of the MHS Envirothon team sponsored by the Extended Learning Program at MHS, which is led by teacher Susan Fritzell.

Anson Elementary School students held positive signs, smiled and waved to motorists during an hour on September 22 at the corner of Third Avenue and Anson Street as part of a “Sprinkle With Happiness” effort.

Anson Elementary School students and staff had a goal to sprinkle happiness the afternoon of September 22 and, boy, did they ever.

Throughout the course of an hour, different grade levels staked out the corner of Anson Street and Third Avenue in Marshalltown.

They brought with them signs with positive messages and big smiles and waved to passing traffic.

It was part of an effort known as “Sprinkle With Happiness” and came from an idea from a conference attended by Anson school counselor Ashley Chyma this past summer.

“It’s a simple way to show kindness and it’s doesn’t cost a thing,” Chyma said.

Motorists waved back and honked as it was apparent the Anson students were able to brighten their day as well.

“The kids loved it,” Chyma said. “I think it worked out wonderful.”

To view some video footage of the event, click here.

Rogers Elementary School first grader Destiny Tate tastes a pickle made from cucumbers at the school garden during an event at the school on September 20. Also pictured is Rogers staff member Ann Soetenga.

When Rogers Elementary School staff said they were serving up locally grown food on September 20, they really meant “locally grown.”

As in just a few steps away.

During its Family Learning Center night, staff served up food made from the garden located at the school.

There was salsa made from pepper, tomatoes and cilantro, coleslaw made from carrots and other vegetables and pickle slices made from the cucumbers from the garden.

While school staff did much of the work on the garden over the summer, that is going to change. Iowa State University Extension staff, who have been part of the building of the garden beds, were signing Rogers students up to be in the newly-formed garden club at the school.

Rogers paraeducator Ann Soetenga is one of the staff leaders of the project and she said it’s important for students to learn where their food comes from.

“Growing a plant from a seed is a marvelous way to learn the practical applications of math, science, nutrition, environmental concerns and pride in working hard and caring for something that will bloom to produce what you want,” Soetenga said.

She said the staff is more than excited about the future of this project, which was boosted by the interest of the students during the food presentation Tuesday night.

“We are not just excited, but passionate about where we are headed,” Soetenga said.

Rogers Elementary School staff member Bill Roberts, right, provides a cup of coleslaw made from vegetables from the school garden to Rogers second grader Hanna Osgood.

The Marshalltown Community School District is seeking input from parents and community members via an online survey to help with information for the next strategic plan in the district.

This survey, known as a SWOT analysis, will help us determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the district. This anonymous survey is open to parents and community members.

Please complete the survey by October 7, 2016.

A link to the survey is currently posted on the Marshalltown Schools website at www.marshalltown.k12.ia.us or it can be accessed by clicking here.

Spanish version

Buscando la opinion del publico con encuesta para el propósito de planificar un plan.

El Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Marshalltown está buscando la opinión de padres y miembros de la comunidad mediante una encuesta en línea para ayudar con información para el siguiente plan estratégico en el distrito.

Esta encuesta también conocida como un análisis de SWOT nos ayudará para determinar las fuerzas, debilidades, oportunidades y amenazas del distrito. Esta encuesta anónima está abierta para los padres y miembros de la comunidad.

Por Favor complete la encuesta antes del 7 de Octubre del 2016.
Actualmente el link de la encuesta se encuentra el la pagina de las escuelas de Marshalltown en www.marshalltown.k12.ia.us o puede ser visitada haciendo clic aqui.

Miller Middle School Student Council members gave out hot dogs and popcorn at a school spirit tailgating event during the 8th grade football game on September 13 at Franklin Field.

School spirit was evident throughout the Marshalltown Community School District this Homecoming week.

Miller Middle School got into the act by holding a tailgating event during the 8^th grade football game on September 13, which was hosted by the Miller Student Council.

The group gave out hot dogs and popcorn at the event at Franklin Field.

The goal of the event was to raise school spirit and encourage middle school students to support their classmates. This is the second year in a row that the Miller Student Council has hosted this tailgating event.

Aspen Chadderdon was named MHS Homecoming Queen and Sam Brintnall Homecoming King on September 15.

Sam Brintnall and Aspen Chadderdon were crowned 2016 Marshalltown High School Homecoming King and Queen on September 15.

It was part of a big Homecoming day in Marshalltown around the theme “Bobcat Paradise.”

The day also included a parade, which had dozens of entries and led by this year’s grand marshal, new Marshalltown Community School District Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.

The senior class received first place in the float contest for its pirate ship.

Prior to the king and queen coronation, the crowd was treated to performances from MHS cheerleaders and the dance team at the pep rally.

Homecoming continues with the home football game vs. Waterloo West, with varsity kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Friday (September 16).

The Homecoming dance is from 8 to 11 p.m. at the MHS cafeteria on Saturday night (September 17)

Bella Russell gets airborne during the cheerleaders’ presentation during the pep rally on September 15.

The first place winning float from the MHS seniors.

MHS Marching Band